May 13, 2007 - Red Bellied Woodpecker

Canon 5D, 300 mm f/2.8L IS with 2x Teleconverter (600 mm), f/5.6, 1/800 sec., ISO 400

Spring. The air turns a little warmer (this is the northeast, after all), flowers begin to appear, trees sprout a few touches of green, and birds begin their annual nesting rituals. In this instance, a pair of Red Bellied Woodpeckers set up housekeeping in this dead hollow tree in our backyard. During the day, you could hear them digging out the interior; then they would throw the resulting wood chips to the ground below. They worked on their new home for days. Their distinctive call woke me up in the morning.

Shortly after this image was taken, however, they were forced out by a pair of obnoxious black birds. As always, nature plays no favorites. Even in the spring.