We are fortunate to have many species of birds visiting the garden but the most elusive is the Woodpecker.
The surrounding large trees are always resounding to the well known tap tap and the garden peanut feeder is always popular but the slightest movement and he takes flight but today was the day where luck was on my side.
On my knees with camera raised above the window cill and lens against the glass a couple of blind shots produced one half reasonable result.


Canon EOS 550D iso400 f/5 1/60

 

Fantastic shot. Bird photography has all to do with passion, patience and preservance.
Congrats.

 

Very nice!

 

Well done!

 

PS how do you keep squirrels off the peanut feeders? I see the baffles and assume they are regarded as minor inconveniences.

 

Air rifle was pretty effective, so much so that with the new licensing laws introduced at the end of last year and not a sign of a squirrel for months I parted with the rifle and yes in no time they were back.
No mater what I have tried is as you say a 'minor inconvenience'

 

Squirrel proof feeders and hot pepper suet. Still the little bastards get fed and the birds have to wait their turn. Tried putting corn out for them as diversion but the wife gets upset when they fight over it.

 

Once strung a stainless cable between the house and a large tree , suspended a feeder in the middle only to watch a squirrel hanging upside down and working its' way to the feeder no problem at all
Must confess it was pretty damned impressive.

 

I (may) love birds as much as the next guy, but when the squirrels are this clever, it's almost time to start shooing the birds away and take up squirrel watching!

We have lovely hummingbirds where we are. One of these days, I'll figure out a feeder and camera rig.

 

I've heard that Speedmaster fanboyism works as a deterrent.

 

If only the wee b*****s were red

 

Lucky you only have little squirrels, they are a bit bigger down under

 

That overhanging cage just gives them something to cling onto. What about something same shape but solid so they have nothing to grip onto? An upside down bucket maybe??

Would also protect the nuts from rain....

 

IMHO you cannot outwit squirrels.

 

We use one of these:
http://drollyankees.com/product/yankee-tipper-bird-feeder/


The bottom plate is spring loaded with enough tension to hold the weight of several birds. But a squirrel is too heavy, and the plate tips to offload the squirrel as shown.

Other variants include this model:

 

The problem I see is that the squirrels will learn that a few rounds on the carousel will yield quiet some seeds on the floor. No need to eat from the source .

 

We've sent men to the moon, I'm sure we can stop squirrels eating our nuts

 

Ahh but that was some 50 years ago.......squirrels are alive and they have plan (sorry Battlestar Galactica TV series reference)

 

Didn't think of that, my bad!!

Damn clever squirrels