The red on the back of the head of this Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) seemed to be a perfect match for the colorful fall foliage this past Friday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Autumn is my favorite season of the year and the weather on the day that I took this shot was almost perfect—even the woodpecker seems to be smiling.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
What a beautiful photo!
Thanks, Liz. I spotted the woodpecker high in the tree and initially he had his head down, so I waited and waited and eventually he lifted his head in a way that caught the light. It’s a nice feeling when that happens (in other cases the bird has simply flown away).
Good on you Mike, I admire your determination and patience! And I enjoy your photos.
Even in the sparse leaves, he blends in pretty well. Great photo, Mike.
Thanks, Dan. The little woodpecker was even more invisible when he was bent over initially and seemed to be pecking at the spiky balls hanging from the tree.
What a perfect pairing of this woodpecker and the red leaves, LOVE it!
Thanks, Laura. It was a little unusual to see a woodpecker among the leaves rather than close to the trunk, but I was sure happy when it happened.