Against the backdrop of a frozen pond with a dusting of snow, the colors of this male Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) stood out even more brightly than usual yesterday morning. The flicker is perched on a rotted stump that is poking out of the beaver pond at my local marshland park.
I love the colors and the markings on this beautiful bird, who seems to be making a fashion statement by mixing stripes and polka dots and accenting the ensemble with touches of bright colors.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
great photo.. I’ve only seen them in trees or on a feeder.
Thanks, Vicki. This was definitely a case of being in the right place at the right time. He flew onto that stump and started to peck and I heard the pecking and was able to get the shot.
A fashion post! Well done.
I like this one alot Michael, great shot 🙂
Thanks. This is the first clear shot that I have been able to get of a Northern Flicker, even if the light was pretty poor. The bird is absolutely beautiful.