AMERICAN AVOCET, MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK, SARASOTA, FL

AMERICAN WHITE PELICANS, MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK, SARASOTA, FL

CRESTED CARACARA, ROUTE 72 NEAR SLIDELL RD., SARASOTA, FL

FLOCK OF WHITE IBIS IN FLIGHT, VENICE AREA AUDOBON ROOKERY, VENICE, FL

GREAT BLUE HERONS IN NESTS & BUILDING NESTS, VENICE AREA AUDOBON ROOKERY, VENICE, FL

RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER, BABCOCK-WEBB WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA, PUNTA GORDA, FL, 2/11/2017

   In the first two photos the Red-cockaded Woodpecker is peaking out of its hole in the tree.  This was a short time after sunrise.  It flew out of the hole to a nearby tree.  About 10 minutes later, as we were about to leave the area, a fellow birder waved us down, as he had sighted a Red-cockaded Woodpecker pecking on a nearby tree.  This woodpecker is shown in the last three photos.

   We can ID this woodpecker as a Red-cockaded Woodpecker by its black cap and nape which encircle large white cheeks, bold black and white horizontal stripes on its back and barred flanks.

   The Red-cockaded Woodpecker is a new species to our Photographic Life List, which now stands at 516.

GREAT BLUE HERON FLEDGELINGS, VENICE AREA AUDOBON ROOKERY, VENICE, FL