Most woodpeckers are black and white in color with occasional pops of red. The Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus), however, has an amazing assortment of colors and patterns, like this handsome one that I spotted on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The flicker spent most of its time on the back side of the tree, but I waited patiently and eventually it popped out for a moment into the light and I was able to capture this image.
In the United States, today is Thanksgiving Day, a day set aside for giving thanks for all of the blessings in our lives. I am truly blessed in so many ways. As I get older, I am growing increasingly conscious of the fact that every single day is blessing in and of itself—tomorrow is not guaranteed.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.” Happy Thanksgiving.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Happy Thanksgiving, 😁
Happy Thanksgiving, Mike. I agree: every day is a gift. Today’s blessing includes this stunning portrait of a flicker. When I see them, it’s usually just a flash of white as they fly away, so it’s nice to see the whole bird!
Thanks, Nina. Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. I was worried that the background was too cluttered, but I managed to get the flicker in focus and the background fell away nicely into a partial blur.
Happy Thanksgiving, Mike!
Happy Thanksgiving, Mike!
Stunning photo of the flicker, Mike. This is such a beautiful bird with its unique patterns, and your photo, the light, the clarity captured it well. Happy Thanksgiving to you, and thank you for bringing beauty closer to us through your photos.
Thanks, Jet. Woodpeckers are so cool all of the time. The one that I really hope to see someday is the Acorn Woodpecker that live in your part of the US, I believe. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Jet, and to Athena.
I do love the acorn woodpeckers, Mike. Oddly enough they come to our bird bath for drinks all day long. You are welcome to join the backyard fracas anytime, my friend.
Be careful of what you offer, Jet. In the last six months I have made separate road trips from Virginia to Seattle, Washington; to Austin, Texas; and to Massachusetts. This amount of travel is what I envisioned when I finally retired a few years ago. 🙂
Happy Thanksgiving, Mike!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanks, Patty Anne. I am late in responding, but had a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope that you did as well.
Very uncommon patterns for a woodpecker. Beautiful bird.
Thanks. I remember the first time that I photographed a Northern Flicker and had no idea that it was considered to be a woodpecker.