Tony's Takes Photography

Wildlife, landscape and weather photography

LBB roundup: Goldeneye to yellowlegs

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A northern flicker takes a break from pecking at a dead tree. (Tony's Takes)
A northern flicker takes a break from pecking at a dead tree. (Tony’s Takes)

As I have said many times, I don’t normally take pictures of “little birds,” what I call almost any non-raptor bird. However, when the opportunity presents itself, I will snap an image of one every now and then.

There are so many smaller birds, I have a heck of a time identifying them and usually rely on friends to help me out. One friend calls these little ones he can’t identify, “LBBs” – Little Brown Birds. That keeps it simple and is oftentimes descriptive. 😉

Here is a look at some of the non-raptor birds that I have photographed in recent weeks.

A greater yellowlegs along the South Platte River. (Tony's Takes)
A greater yellowlegs along the South Platte River. (Tony’s Takes)
A house sparrow awaits its turn at the feeder. (Tony's Takes)
A house sparrow awaits its turn at the feeder. (Tony’s Takes)
A common merganser on a pond in Thornton, Colorado. (Tony's Takes)
A common merganser on a pond in Thornton, Colorado. (Tony’s Takes)
A common goldeneye swimming on a pond. (Tony's Takes)
A common goldeneye swimming on a pond. (Tony’s Takes)
A wet American coot on a pond. (Tony's Takes)
A wet American coot on a pond. (Tony’s Takes)
A belted kingfisher hanging out. (Tony's Takes)
A belted kingfisher hanging out. (Tony’s Takes)
A white crowned sparrow in Colorado. (Tony's Takes)
A white crowned sparrow in Colorado. (Tony’s Takes)

Blue jays and flickers enjoy the first snowfall of the season

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A blue jay hangs out at a feeder as Colorado gets hit with an early season snow. (© Tony's Takes)
A blue jay hangs out at a feeder as Colorado gets hit with an early season snow. (© Tony’s Takes)

Denver, Colorado is getting an unusually early snow today, in fact, the first September snow in 20 years. Of course it is 2020 and with everything else this year we shouldn’t be surprised, right? 😉

This did allow me a nice little backyard photo opportunity as the birds all flocked to the feeders. At least four blue jays and one northern flicker took advantage of the peanut feeder while many smaller birds went for the regular birdseed.

Thankfully, I was able to capture all of these from the warm comfort of my kitchen, just cracking open the window enough to get the images.

While a northern flicker gets a peanut, a blue jay waits its turn at the feeder. (© Tony's Takes)
While a northern flicker gets a peanut, a blue jay waits its turn at the feeder. (© Tony’s Takes)
A northern flicker hangs out at a feeder as snow falls around it. (© Tony's Takes)
A northern flicker hangs out at a feeder as snow falls around it. (© Tony’s Takes)

Flicker fight!

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Two northern flickers battle in Colorado. (© Tony's Takes)
Two northern flickers battle in Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Two male Northern Flickers settle their differences with an all out battle. This was actually a pretty darned crazy scene to witness. One landed on a nearby log, then the second came. Both started flaring their tails and raising their heads and then the fight was on. In the air, on the ground, they went at each other hard!

Pretty crazy stuff – never seen that before. These woodpeckers can be found across much of the contiguous 48 United States. For some folks, they can be quite the pest as they hammer away at trees, house siding and chimneys.

Taken along the South Platte River north of Denver, Colorado. Scroll down to view the complete series.

A fine looking Flicker

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My photo time this weekend was severely limited due to that pesky thing called work. Nevertheless I did get out for a bit and managed some captures including one of this handsome Northern Flicker. Normally they aren’t too willing to pose but this guy seemed to revel in the attention.

These birds can be found across much of the contiguous 48 United States. For some folks, they can be quite the pest as they hammer away at trees, house siding and chimneys. Taken in Adams County, Colorado.

A male Norther Flicker hangs out along the shores of the South Platte River. (© Tony’s Takes)
A male Norther Flicker hangs out along the shores of the South Platte River. (© Tony’s Takes)

Northern Flicker

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Northern Flicker. Out for a walk with my beautiful wife this evening and saw lots of cool things – including this woodpecker. It was making quite a racket, perhaps calling to its mate. These guys are quite colorful although if you have ever had one attack your house, you probably don’t care for them too much. 😉

A Northern Flicker sits in a tree in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Northern Flicker sits in a tree in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Fun Flicker flight

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Kind of a neat image of a Northern Flicker. I was taking pictures of this cool bird sitting nicely on the lower branch when it suddenly decided to leap to the one above. With its wings and legs tucked back, it looked quite streamlined and sleek. Image taken in Thornton, Colorado on January 20, 2015.

A Northern Flicker leaps from one branch to another. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Northern Flicker leaps from one branch to another. (© Tony’s Takes)

A sleeping Northern Flicker?

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Sleeping Flicker. No, not really. This Northern Flicker was simply scraping its beak on the branch it was sitting on. I followed three of these colorful woodpeckers this afternoon as they flitted about. These birds can be found across much of the contiguous 48 United States. For some folks, they can be quite the pest as they hammer away at trees, house siding and chimneys.

A Northern Flicker appears to be sleeping but was actually scraping its beak on the tree. (© Tony’s Takes)
A Northern Flicker appears to be sleeping but was actually scraping its beak on the tree. (© Tony’s Takes)

A Woody the Woodpecker sighting

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I took a drive this morning and while it was lacking in drama (i.e. raptors), it was not entirely fruitless.  Along a bike bath in suburban Denver I saw this guy – a Northern Flicker.

The flicker is actually one of the bigger woodpeckers and one of the few that migrate but do live year-round in much of the Lower 48.  They spend a good bit of time on the ground looking for worms and grubs.  Read more at All About Birds.

Northern Flicker. Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
Northern Flicker. Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)