Greater Spotted Woodpecker and a visiting fox

By Words | Published March 23, 2012

Two subjects today, and I was pleased to see both of them. Yesterday when I was scouting around the local woods I came across a tree which I thought looked 'interesting'. What makes one tree in a wood look interesting? Well this was a dead tree and it had numerous bore holes drilled into into it., one of which looked fresh. Woodpecker territory!

I went back this morning, and sure enough a female greater spotted woodpecker put in an appearance. It was brief, but a good sighting. Even better, this is actually on site at work, so I will be able to keep an eye on it over the coming weeks. 🙂

Back home this evening we were blessed with a gorgeous golden sunset over the Downs.

It was while I was photographing the setting sun that a very welcome face appeared at the back of the garden. Shutterbug, barely awake, was just coming out for his evening foraging.

He hung around for just shy of 10 minutes before disappearing out into the street via the side gate.


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Camera note: woodpecker shots taken with the Canon 7D EF and 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The fox was photographed with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.

This entry was posted in Birds, Foxes, Sunset and tagged , , .

13 Comments

  1. derWandersmann March 24, 2012 at 1:03 am #

    Two great sets, Words! Shutterbug in that red light is pretty, even though his coat is so disreputable. He looks positively unsavoury. LOL

  2. gdare March 24, 2012 at 1:03 am #

    Nice photo of a woodpecker :yes:
    We went to Migratory Birds Reserve today, south of Vancouver and we saw two of them. I made a lot of photos and will make a post as soon as possible. I know you would enjoy there 😉

  3. derWandersmann March 24, 2012 at 2:03 pm #

    True … never thought of that. Possibly Words should dig him a bigger … uh … foxhole.

  4. claudeb March 24, 2012 at 2:03 pm #

    Can't be easy to live in a lair with a litter of small pups. 😛

  5. SittingFox March 26, 2012 at 1:03 am #

    That second shot of Shutterbug is lovely – perfect light.

  6. serola March 26, 2012 at 12:03 pm #

    Absolutely wonderful fox pics :hat:

  7. Words March 28, 2012 at 10:03 pm #

    Adele, it was nice timing for him to show up at sunset. I keep watching out for a repeat of it, but no luck so far.

  8. Words March 28, 2012 at 10:03 pm #

    dW, that's an idea 💡

  9. Words March 28, 2012 at 10:03 pm #

    Darko, I saw your woodpecker shot. Nice one! I am going to keep an eye on the woods where I saw this one.

  10. Words March 28, 2012 at 10:03 pm #

    Erwin, thanks!

  11. Words March 28, 2012 at 10:03 pm #

    Felix, good point. All those cubs playing tag with his brush, plus the general summer moult. They do look scruffy in spring/early summer.

  12. Words March 28, 2012 at 10:03 pm #

    dW, he can't help his coat at this time of year. He'll be at his regal best come autumn!

  13. Wulpen October 19, 2012 at 8:10 pm #

    Lovely