Feathered Friday - The Winter Familiars

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Here are some winter familiars for this #featheredfriday by melinda010100@melinda010100
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Here is the first familiar a red-bellied wood pecker at a feeder in Starved Rock State Park.

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This is why they call them red-bellied woodpeckers. They have some red feathers on their belly, fortunately the feeder structure allowed me to actually get a shot of its red belly.

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Here is a nuthatch looking to dive bomb the feeders below.

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It had a successful divebomb and scored a sunflower seed. I love the way these guys can crawl on any surface.

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The tufted titmouse is also common here during winter, in fact I only see them during winter.

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They are quite small and bouncy, very difficult to get clear shots even at the feeder.

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Quite a few chickadees were hanging around the feeders as well. This was one of the few clear shots I got of them. The rest turned out blurry from them bouncing around.

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There were also a couple cardinals but they were hiding up in the tree shade getting scared away by squirrels hogging the feeders.

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Goldfinches stay here year-round feeding on prairie grass seeds. It is much easier for these two to get their millet from the feeder.

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Eventually in spring they will molt and get bright yellow colors to attract a mate. In winter they lose their bright yellow and you can barely see any of their bright yellow colors. The white wing bands are the best way to identify them.

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Sadly on this trip I didn't see any good shots of bald eagles, that's why I usually go to this state park. There was just one way off in the distance on a tree. Next time I come here I'll have to show up earlier in the morning when they are hunting for fish. That's all for now happy hunting :-)

Feathered Friday - The Winter Familiars | Ecency