Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Another cold winter day and another sunrise…

That was taken out by the fields, but it was quiet there so I headed over to Falmer Pond. It was frozen (no surprise there).

But in cold weather even the more cautious animals venture out in search of food, and the darting flight of a woodpecker caught my attention. And I was in luck. It found a perch on a nearby tree, just catching the morning light, but slightly masked by branches.

It then flew to another tree, with a slightly better line of sight.

A good start to a cold day. It wasn't around at lunchtime (I looked) but there were plenty of gulls.

There were lots of ducks too, making the most of the gaps in the ice.

And one brave soul attempting a 'hard' landing!

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Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 13 Comments

  1. derWandersmann

    3 Feb 2012

    Lovely morning, Words! I can hardly wait until I'm fit enough to get out a-morning again. Just out of the hospital, and a bit unsteady on my pins.
    I't's been very warm and dry, here … the telly was just reminiscing over this date last year … 23" in one night!

  2. studio41

    3 Feb 2012

    beautiful pictures! such great light. "the brave soul attempting a 'hard' landing" is super!

    Originally posted by derWandersmann:

    Just out of the hospital

    der Wandersmann, I don't know what you were in for, but I wish you a full and speedy recovery- I hope you are feeling better.

  3. serola

    3 Feb 2012

    Excellent pictures once again :hat:

  4. gdare

    3 Feb 2012

    Landing duck, I always like to see that 😀

  5. cakkleberrylane

    3 Feb 2012

    Beautiful shots, all, the last one is especially great!

  6. SittingFox

    3 Feb 2012

    DW, hope you feel better soon.

    I see the South Downs have caught the winter. It's fundamentally frozen up here. The woodpecker is great – the scarlet is a nice touch of colour at this time of year.

  7. Words

    4 Feb 2012

    Jill, thanks! I like the look on that duck's face in the last shot. 'Am I really going to land here?'

  8. Words

    4 Feb 2012

    dW, we may get some snowfall this weekend, but we're a long way south and if we're lucky we'll miss it. But we're also the highest point so if it's in the area we'll get it all! But like you, nothing quite like last year, which was exceptional. Sorry to hear you've not been well. Hope you get back to your best quickly.

  9. Words

    4 Feb 2012

    Sami, thanks!

  10. Words

    4 Feb 2012

    Adele, it was the arrow flight that caught my attention with the woodpecker, but the sun caught him beautifully. Cold weekend ahead here, but it looks like you may well have the snow by Sunday morning. Touch and go here. :smurf:

  11. Words

    4 Feb 2012

    Darko, ducks can be so inelegant at times. And this is one of those moments!

  12. Words

    6 Feb 2012

    Erwin, thanks!

  13. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    just lovely

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