Attention seeking behavoir!

When I was out for a walk last week I heard a loud tapping noise. It took me some time but I finally spotted the source, a Flicker:

 

Why didn't I see it at first? Well here's what my eyes saw:

 

 

 

Then again through the camera:

Why is the woodpecker hammering on a vent? Well to attract attention of course, although it was not for my benefit, he was actually after a female flicker.

 

 

...and after tapping and watching....

...and tapping and watching...

 

..and, well you get the picture...

 

...who could resist? Well I think he must have spotted a female because...

 

...he started displaying his finery.

 

..what do you think?

 

 

..aren't I gorgeous...

 

...well this has got to impress the little woman...

 

...what are you waiting for?...

 

...here it is, my best pose...

 

If this series was accompanied by music, what would it be; maybe O Sole Mio, or I'm looking for a hard headed woman or maybe a bit of bump and grind???  Maybe you have some ideas.

 

 It was the middle of the afternoon, but I have heard many stories of people being wakened very early in the morning to a loud tapping, coming from, you guessed it, a woodpecker, hammering on a light standard or on a piece of metal flashing.

 

One can be excused for thinking that they have mistaken it for food; no it is absolutely intentional and meant to attract as much attention as possible.

 

The Flicker version of friending on Facebook? If it were a personal ad it might go something like this:

 

Handsome SFM (Single Flicker Male), NS (non-smoker), ND (non-drinker) seeks female:

 

I am a tall (14"), good looking Red Shafted Flicker but I've been banging my head in frustration looking for my own true love. I love the outdoors and want someone to join me at my favorite restaurant in the forest (Rotten Log), to share a romantic meal, to sing a few duets and to watch the sun go down. My object is matrimony, I am seeking someone that is not afraid of commitment, to settle down with me, share my life and love nest and raise a family. No triflers please, tweet your particulars at #hollowlog.

 

 

Speaking of woodpeckers, do you remember the "Woody Woodpecker" laugh: 

 

 

 

"I'm looking for a hard headed woman" by Cat Stevens

 

 

 

OK enough of that foolishness! I did actually do some painting this week. It is a painting of daffodils, which my husband gets for me at the farmers market this time of year; so beautiful and so fragrant.

 

A watercolour that I call "Spring Blooms":

 

Details on this painting at GillianOlsonArt.BlogSpot.com

 

 

I got good news yesterday from my surgeon; the tumour (adrenal) he removed from me was benign and except for following up with a specialist to make sure my remaining adrenal function is sufficient I am finished with this health bump.

 

 

Thank you for stopping by, Happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next time...

 

 

Gillian

 

 

 



My friend flicker?

Anyone else remember the 1950's television series "My friend Flicka"? It's about a horse named Flicka (Swedish for little girl) and the boy that was devoted to her, Johnny, on a fictional ranch in Wyoming. For some reason seeing a flicker reminds me of the show.

The other day I heard what I thought was the music from "Friendly Giant", now there is another blast from the past. I was transported back to after school TV so many years ago, and it was strangely comforting.

Why these flashes (don't get me started on that topic) back to the past, maybe my short term memory is failing, who knows. I can remember my phone number from when I was 6 years old, but on the other hand I can't figure out how to use my android phone properly ...... yet another story.

But today I wanted to talk about flickers and a beautiful pair that has been visiting my back yard feeders recently.

Red shafted or Northern Flickers, him above with his red cheek patches, showing off the red feathers in his wings and tail. Her, below, with grey brown cheeks; she has red feathers in wings and tail but not quite as bright. Both have beautiful spotted chests and a black crescent shaped black "cravat".

They are woodpeckers, and can be seen feeding on the ground, hammering on trees and at feeders. They make a high pitched kee kee kee sound (that's what it sounds like to me anyway) when approaching an area to feed, this to me sounds like "get out, get out, it's my turn" and seems to continue until the feeder is vacant.

Using her tail to "balance" on the feeder below:

Showing off the orange under feathers on her tail:

Here he is investigating some insect life on the power pole in the back lane. You don't want to see them on your house because it probably means you have an insect infestation.

She prefers the nuts ...........

........ and he the suet block ......

Flickers (other woodpeckers too) drill into trees and pieces of wood in search of food, but they also pound on other surfaces too, metal for instance, and can make a huge racket. It turns out that is exactly the point, to attract attention, handy when trying to attract a mate or scare away a rival, but not popular if it awakens one very early in the morning.

Another favorite show from that era was "Lassie". Do you have favorites from that time?

I have been busy in the studio this week, but am still finishing off a painting which I hope to reveal next week.

Since I seem to be living in the past a bit this week I thought I would show you something from the past, I apologize ahead of time if you have seen this before:

"Oh-fish-al Greeter"

This is a colour conte work from a series of door knockers that I did 2 or 3 years ago.

There is more information on the picture, on door knockers and on the conte medium on my art blog:

GillianOlsonArt

Thanks for stopping by, happy Whimsy Wednesday, until next week ..................