Northern Flicker Flashes Some Yellow

Image of a Northern flicker in flight near Algonquin Park, Ontario

Bob and I were surprised when we visited my mom’s place at Oxtongue Lake, Ontario, in late April to see so many Northern Flickers, or Yellow-shafted Flickers as they are also known.  On the first day alone, we saw no less than eight of these birds, six at one time in a leafless deciduous tree. 

Image of a Northern flicker sitting on a post near Algonquin Park, Ontario

Every time I peeked out my bedroom window, I would see one, two or three of the woodpeckers foraging in the sandy soil of the backyard for ants.

Image of a Northern flicker in flight from a fence post near Algonquin Park

I was trying to become more skilled at photographing this flicker in flight and had fairly good luck after a few tries.  This female took wing from the pole supporting the clothesline.

Image of a Northern flicker in flight to trees near Algonquin Park, Ontario

Through my series of photos, you can definitely get a reasonable look at the yellow shafts on the primary feathers and the white rump visible when the bird is in flight.

Image of a Northern flicker in flight near Algonquin Park, Ontario

With the stop-motion that comes with photos, I could get some idea as to the streamlined effect created when the wings are neatly drawn in.

Image of the yellow wings of a Northern flicker in flight near Algonquin Park, Ontario

Quite the opposite can be said for this gorgeous display of the flight feathers with their yellow shafts made almost translucent by the sunlight shining through them.

northern flicker near algonquin park, ontario 3

It gladdened me to know that I had actually photographed both a male and female Northern Flicker, the male here with his distinguished black moustache.

Frame To Frame – Bob and Jean

feedback welcome