Thursday, September 4, 2014

"Patterns in Flight"...


The male Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) has a red crown and nape, female has the red nape only. They are omnivores and are very beneficial, eating ants, grasshoppers, beetles, as well as fruits and nuts. This species habitually stores food. The red markings on the belly that give the bird its name is difficult to see in the field. They are approx. 10 inches long with a wingspan of 16 inches.

Photo # KS5_3190a. Location: central Arkansas. Feb/2014.
(c) Kelly Shipp Photography.

1 comment:

Lisa Gordon said...

And what gorgeous patterns they are.
This is a fantastic image, Kelly.
Perfect timing!