Male Downy Woodpecker at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, UtahMale Downy Woodpecker – Nikon D810, f8, 1/200, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I was delighted to spot this male Downy Woodpecker in the willows the last time I went out to Farmington Bay Bird Refuge. There aren’t many trees at Farmington Bay but along the road to Goose Egg Island there are a few and this time of the year when the leaves are falling there are times I see these tiny woodpeckers in them. Some times I hear their calls before I even see them or the sound of them pecking on the wood while they search for prey but this time I saw the bird without hearing a thing.

Downy Woodpeckers are the smallest woodpeckers in North America and are seen from coast to coast.

Photographing Downy Woodpeckers can be challenging because of the high contrast of their black and white plumage and because they are usually tucked away under the canopy of the trees which means there are often obstructions in front of the birds. Of the 70 images I took of this downy there were only a few that did not have leaves or branches obscuring part of the bird.

Life is good. Enjoy the day!

Mia

Click here to see more of my Downy Woodpecker photos plus facts and information about this species.