~JANUARY 2013 POM Entry Thread~

[River]

Originally Posted by havalotta

Interesting....I never knew they sipped nectar.

Neither did I so I checked it out! It seems Ladderback Woodpeckers eat insects from cactus and will also visit the cactus flowers. Other woodpeckers are known to visit flowers in their range as well, often the same ones hummingbirds visit. I found a good article from a news station that talks about which feeders are good for both hummingbirds and woodpeckers, and goes into why woodpeckers visit them. It takes along time to load but is a good little article.

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/aug/22/woodpeckers-stick-out-their-tongues-for-nectar/

Great Picture Kchd! Really shows the bird and a conversation starter for a little known backyard birder fact!

[River]

OK, I thought I would do another. This was taken on the same day as the magpie picture on the other side of the hill. At first these deer were startled by me and my dog, but I hung out taking some bitter brush pictures - I might still post one of them.

The mule deer watched us, but didn't run off. After about 10 minutes they went back to browsing and I was able to capture them. This is Land Trust land very near private ranch land, and it borders Jacobson Preserve which is specifically for winter mule deer browse, although with all the winter hikers now they get pushed around a lot so I don't know how successful it is as they are often in these back canyons. Regardless, it benefits other species as well and is used for conservation education. The preserve goes right down to city limits. The trail head is a fitness gym on one side and a horse stable on the other.

[dapjwy]

Nice composition, River. I like a rugged landscape.

I almost missed the deer, thanks for he explanation...it sounds great and...

Originally Posted by River

...it benefits other species as well and is used for conservation education.

...I like that so many species benefit from it--including our own (through education and connecting with nature).

[River]

Here is my last photo. It was going to be my last to begin with, and then I decided to post the magpie and deer.

Taken on Jacobson Preserve about a week ago.Its been fun trying to get some meaningful pictures in our constantly overcast winter (Wenatchee is known for inversion systems).

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by River

Here is my last photo.

That is beautiful.

There is a thread on winter interest and seedheads. That would fit in nicely there as well.

[Equilibrium]

I like that winter's breath photo.
--
Not the greatest photos.... snow's hard but... not the worst either. This is something you don't see all the time unless conditions are just right. Go ahead guess what was tunneling under the snow and it's not that hard. I can tell you that this 1 didn't make it.... he was gobbled up in no time flat. There wasn't enough snow cover. He was too exposed.

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by Equilibrium

Not the greatest photos.... snow's hard but... not the worst either. This is something you don't see all the time unless conditions are just right. Go ahead guess what was tunneling under the snow and it's not that hard. I can tell you that this 1 didn't make it.... he was gobbled up in no time flat. There wasn't enough snow cover. He was too exposed.

A mole...or vole?

[recurve]

Originally Posted by dapjwy

A mole...or vole?

I'm going with vole aswell

[dapjwy]

Originally Posted by recurve

I'm going with vole aswell

That is what I think I have throughout our property...Lib's looks the same.

[Equilibrium]

Moles don't come above ground during winter. It's a vole!!! Ding ding ding.... you're both right!!! That vole got eaten by a coyote.... it ventured out a leetle bit too far and I could see the coyote tracks in the snow and that was the end of the vole's tunneling.