This Morning Outside

by Diane Porter

July 3, 2010
In the woods near Birdwatching Dot Com
Fairfield, Iowa

She's found a nice nest spot in the midst of luxuriant poison ivy. This Northern Flicker is about to dive in to check on her nestlings. Scroll down to see her emerge.

Photo copyright 2010 Michael and Diane Porter

She comes out carrying a white fecal sac. Keeps the nest tidy and sweet.

In this moment, she reveals the golden color of her underwings and undertail.

How I wish I could look into that nest.

On second thought, considering all that poison ivy, maybe I'll just watch from down here.

This is the eastern form of the Northern Flicker species. It was once known as the Yellow-shafted Flicker, but now Yellow-shafted is considered merely a race of the Northern Flicker.

—Diane Porter

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