I had just started my hike when I heard a thumping up in a tree. Looking up I finally saw the little woodpecker making all the noise. He was mostly in sunlight so I shot some pictures. I did have to try to wait until he wasn’t pecking. You can see a little motion blur in the first photo below.
These things are pretty common around here and I often hear them off in the trees somewhere pecking away. I do like his red cap.
Next is a scene that I have tried to photograph numerous times and I don’t think I have ever gotten it right. When the low sun is back-lighting a prickly pear cactus, the needles pick up a golden glow from the sunlight that outlines the rest of the prickly pear. I have found that this doesn’t show up well in photos, which is very disappointing because it is quite striking in person. Below is my latest attempt.
I put a lot of work into the highlights of the above photo in post processing to try to give them a golden glow like I see with my eyes. What do you think?
Next is a close-up of some prickly pear side lit by the last of the sun light coming over the hill. I thought the shadows might make something interesting. I don’t know.
Anyway, the first bluebonnets of spring are showing their blooms, so I’ll be out looking for them.
Thanks for reading.
Jason Frels 
That woodpecker looks a lot like the woodpeckers in our area. I think you did a good job of sussing out the golden glow of the prickly pear. The glow draws my eye and makes the photo look interesting.
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I just looked up the woodpecker in my bird guide that I have because I am apparently transforming into a senior citizen. I guess the things are probably common in a lot of places.
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Next thing you need is a bag of stale bread and a park bench.
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I have been trying to find pants with a waste that comes up to my mid-chest and that will show off my sock suspenders.
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I think they sell them in thrift stores. But you’ll need to work out at the dinner table first, and develop a big belly.
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My elderly parent’s have a bird guide, if that makes you feel better. 🙂 They have 3 bird feeders, love watching the birds.
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It is cheep entertainment.
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“Haha!”
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A laugh instead of a head smack. That must have been a really bad pun.
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You got a head smack today already. I can’t give them away too easily!
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Believe it’s a downy woodpecker. They love suet also and make fun backyard birds to watch. jerry
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I don’t want a woodpecker near my house.
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I see that I am late finding your post again. Fortunately the leprechaun revealed it to me today.
I love the red cap of the woodpecker too, just don’t like hearing them early in the morning!
I like both photos of the prickly pear and the golden glow. The first one is a more subtle, warm glow but the second one has a mysterious feel to it. The magical prickly pear.
Yes, spring flowers makes me smile.
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Leprechaun? You having lucky charms for breakfast or something?
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They are magically delicous! But no, they aren’t any good once the marshmallows are gone.
The leprechauns come out on St.Patrick’s day you know. Maybe you scared them off. Guess they can give your pot of gold to me.
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I am not Irish and don’t remember this day. I am wearing whatever you call light purple today.
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Well purple goes with green just fine. Should have a green tie. LOL!
I am not Irish either, but I look at a certain calendar in the morning.
I love Celtic music and dream of going to Ireland someday.
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I would like to go to Ireland. It is kind of down on my list a bit though. I have a strong desire to see Rome/Vatican City and then maybe Greece as well someday first.
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Wouldn’t mind seeing them either. This is why I need another job, have to support my traveling fund. 🙂
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It is expensive. Every time I have traveled internationally except once, a company was paying for it.
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Now thats the way to do it! Because yes, it is costly unfortunately.
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My cheapest international trip was crossing the Rio Grande for a short time down at Big Bend.
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woodpeckers have always fascinated me; I’m sure it started with the cartoon.
great picture getting that glow around the prickly pear…
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[…] I am happy to share another photo by Jason to use for my story. I thank him for the inspiration and hope that my story does it justice. Feel free to visit his blog for more photos, https://jasonfrels.com/2022/03/16/woodpecker-and-cactus/ […]
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