LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, June 7, 2010

Little Downy Fledgling

Our Downy Woopeckers fledged last week. I watched them for several days, trying to get a good photograph. Finally I decided to show you what I was able to get. Not great pictures, but a wonderful process. This pair of Downys had two fledglings, but now only one remains. They seem especially devoted to the remaining one.


The little Downy perches on a nearby tree while his daddy goes to the suet.



He seems to be a bit impatient as Daddy feeds himself first. Still the little one sits and watches.




Finally! Daddy comes back to the tree with some food.




The move around the tree a bit.



And finally, the little one is fed.
No matter how often we see this process repeated, we gaze in awe at the care of all the fledglings. Soon we will be treated to the antics of the fledgling trying to get to the suet independently. We have already seen a Red-bellied Woodpecker fledgling, but he is fed so deep into the woods I haven't gotten more than a glance. Before long, our Pileateds will bring their huge fledglings to the feeders. What a wonderful time of year.


NOTE TO THE CEO OF BRITISH PETROLEUM:
Fire your entire PR staff, or at least the ones who thought your warm fuzzy (expensive) commercials would make me feel better. Quite the opposite. The message of your "concern" makes me as angry as the sight of an oil-soaked bird or animal. I'm thoroughly disgusted and can't stand the sight of you.

20 comments:

abb said...

Wonderful!

And your note to BP? Wholeheartedly agree. What does he think? This will garner sympathy?

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carolyn , The little Downys are so precious. We have SEVERAL who come to our feeders. I think some of them are the young ones --but I can't always tell the difference... I just know we have quite a few of them --all different sizes.

Have a good day/week.
Hugs,
Betsy

Toni aka irishlas said...

I never tire of watching the birds start the life cycle again. Every year we have house finches, wrens, and chickadees build nests in our ferns and raise young. It's like having bird t.v. on my back porch!

I, too agree with your note to the CEO's of BP.

robin andrea said...

There is something about watching the dad feed the fledgling that just tugs at my heart. We had a family of purple finches doing that at our feeder. So incredibly sweet.

I read an editorial that suggested that the gulf oil disaster could be the oil industry's Chernobyl. The kind event that makes people rethink their energy use. I can only hope.

Busy Bee Suz said...

The little guys are so cute. IT is nice to see the population continue on.
I second your note to the BP ceo.

Cheryl said...

Beautiful downy fledgling....such a pleasure to view. So touching.

Oh how I sympathise with your anger and disgust at BP. Please do not think the British pulic, do not care. We care very much for your suffering and the environment.
I have been near to tears watching the poor birds struggling to get out of the oil drenched water.
I just pray that the oil can be capped soonest.

Folkways Note Book said...

So fortunate to experience such varied species as they fledge. I am with you 100% on your recommendation for BP. -- barbara

Barb said...

The woodpecker fledglings always look like giants beside their parents. Lucky you for having them close by.

Leedra said...

I have been gone on vacation, so I looked at several post. You 'old' family photo makes me wish I had a scanner.

Like the Downy family too!

LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACE said...

How sweet!! God's creation at work!

~Beth

Victoria said...

Your photos of the Downy dad and child are beautiful, and I agree with you 100% on BP's CEO.

George said...

We thoroughly enjoy watching the fledglings near the feeders at our house. I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures of the little Downey.

troutbirder said...

Little cuties for sure.

BP equals Big Profit. Build cheap, is allowed to cut corners (thanks deregulators, equal big mess.

Vicki Lane said...

Love the downy pics! And a hearty AMEN to your note to BP!

Anonymous said...

Love the 'peckers. We've watched one grow up at our suet feeder.

I heard that BP is paying to manipulate Google searchers to their website so that the horrors are downplayed. Deepwater drilling without any idea what to do if it goes wrong... arrrggghhhh!!!

KGMom said...

I love the feeding baby bird series. Perfect. Seeing such a wondrous sight helps restore my soul.

Now, to BP. I totally concur with your remark. My husband has only to see BP's CEO, and he (my husband) yells *sshole at the TV. I don't even need to know what's on the TV to know what set that off.

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments, everyone.

Betsy - Some of the Downy fledglings actually appear larger than the parents.

Toni - Bird TV. I like the sound of it.

Cheryl - No one identifies BP with the people of the UK. Everyone knows BP is a huge global corporation not controlled by the people.

Donna - I'm certain we will wear out our "mute" button. We also yell expletives at the television.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I think your pictures are great!! We've had several of the Downys around as well and I didn't think that they could be fledglings--I'll have to look a bit closer at them, and make sure there's suet for their empty tummy's! :-)

You're right on with your thoughts to BP--I can't even watch the news anymore--It's so horrific and heartbreaking...

Birdie said...

Would love to put out suet for the woodpeckers, but we have to worry about bears and raccoons. Do you take the suet in at night? We are in SE Macon county, so not far from you, and our neighborhood has a family of Mama and 3 cubs seen on a regular basis; occasionally, an immature from last year joins the group.

Dawn Fine said...

Great photos! I can never see enough of this.

I do now..want to stop seeing the oiled birds..I agree with your note to BP..makes me boil...