I'M TIRED OF ALL THIS PECKING MAMMAL set up the tripod

set up the tripod

oak and hophornbeam trees of this deciduous forest were terrific and spectacular on this October morning

After a snow and freezing rain storm passes through the night before

I headed out to photograph the sunrise and wildflowers

I'M TIRED OF ALL THIS PECKING MAMMAL set up the tripodThe smallest of North Americas woodpeckers, the downy woodpeckers are wide spread and common throughout their range however, they avoid the arid southwest. They are typically very active moving quickly on the branches and through the tree looking for insects. The downy and hairy woodpeckers are almost identical in plumage. The downy can be distinguished from the hairy by its smaller size and by the black dots on its white tail feathers. (523 98)