
The Northern Flicker is a type of woodpecker.

In the western US, Flickers have red cheeks and tail feathers, but in the east they have yellow accents.

This guy was so relaxed around me, he started snoozing while I was photographing him,

and then hopped over for a closer look!

I photographed him in The San Bernardino Mountains, near Big Bear Lake California.

These photos were taken before the region was hit with five major storms, leaving several feet of snow and alleviating the drought.

Cheers To you from snowy & birdie, Southern California~
What gorgeous photos. My favourite keeps changing haha.
Mine too, and thank you Alex!
Such a gorgeous bird! And those mountains! Beautiful shots, and, as always, thanks for taking me along!! <3
PS I msg'd you on FB… 😉
I love traveling with you Dorinda. I will check out FB. I never go there anymore since all the privacy and management problems came to light.
OK, if you’re not comfortable answering me there, you can use my contact form 🙂 <3
I noticed your remark here. Just want to say I’ve had the same reaction to FB. I no longer go there, haven’t for months now.
Yes. The best strategy for me is to keep the page open, since they retain my data, but never visit.
What a lovely bird, looks as if he’s been embroidered.
Isn’t he gorgeous! He reminds me of a very fashionable woman in the 1930’s with a color-contrasting, closely-fitted suit.
Wow. Beautiful.
They are usually shy, like other really beautiful birds, but this guy wanted his photos taken!
I can tell. That’s amazing. 🙂
<3 🐦
Wow. Amazing!
Mother Nature rules the runway with her birdies!
No kidding!
<3 🐦
It seems nature has designed it with care! What a beauty! Lovely pictures Cindy.
It is a very well dressed bird!!!
Stunning captures of the flicker!
PS: Eagles concert in a matter of hours.
Woo Hoo!! Enjoy!
I know you like music, so hoping you’ll stop by.
Thank you Frank & enjoy your concert!
As always your photography is stunning. What a handsome fellow he is. And of course I am happy to see some of that beautiful scenery ala Big Bear. Thank you for sharing.
I cannot believe all the places you have lived. I would love to read a book about your life. Maybe we ran into each other in Big Bear. I used to go as a kid to ski and remember they often had St. Bernard puppy litters there to play with. Pure heaven!
Love the nice, crisp close up! 🙂
Thank you & glad you do!
Ohh! So pretty!
A very fashionable bird, combining polka dots, brown, black and red, is very fashion forward!!
They used to be common, but now I seldom see yellow-shafted flickers where I live (in the Hudson Valley). The splendid photos brought back fond memories.
It makes me very sad that you see them rarely in the gorgeous Hudson Valley.
What a beautiful bird he is! Flickers are always shy around here, but I hear them in the summer more than I see them.
I’d heard about the tons of snow they are getting in the mountains – some places had 10 feet – omg! 😮
And more storms are on the horizon. I can see the plants springing up and rejoicing, but it is cold too, well below freezing every night.
Cindy, thank you for these stunning photographs!
Awww, thank you more for your thoughtful appreciation Charles.
Cindy, you are very welcome!
Reblogged this on charles french words reading and writing and commented:
Once again, here are more stunning photographs from Cindy Knoke!
Have a wonderful weekend!
thank you!
<3 🐦
Well now, that is one very, very pretty bird! Love it. Thank you, Cindy!
He’s all dressed up with lots of places to go!
They are so cool. Love their presence around here too 💛 Thanks Cindy for capturing moments that most of us would take for granted 🙏
Thank you Val for taking time to notice and appreciate the 🐦 🐦 <3
what an interesting bird. love his colours/patterns
He is a finely fashioned fellow! 🐦 <3
Lovely!!! We live in an amazing world – a wonderful place for reflection and medication.
I meant meditation! YIKES!!!
Cracking up…..We do live in a wonderful world for reflection, meditation….. and medication, when things aren’t going so well!!! Hugs and thanks so much for making me laugh Rebecca <3
Love you!!!
<3 🐦
Cindy, these are some of the very post bird portraits I have not seen for a long time. I can look at the red shafted flicker again and again. Well done!
Thank you very much Peter. I am honored by your kindness. 🐦<3
Oh my stars! he’s beautiful!
He is dressed for success! <3 🐦
This fellow is magnificent! How I would love to meet him.
Usually with me they flicker by me in a flash, so I was quite thrilled this ham wanted his photos taken! 🐦
You make this bird so real for me. I’ve never seen one but this one looks so alive on my screen. This one is a beauty.
So happy to introduce you Marlene. He is unbelievable isn’t he. The polka dots and the stripes and the red flashes make him just stunning!
I love watching the flickers (but then again, I have a very soft spot for birds). Lovely photos. 🙂
I <3 people who <3 🐦🐦🐦
Gorgeous bird, Cindy!
Glad you enjoyed him Lavinia. He is a dapper dandy 🐦
What a lovely bird.
The polka dots are pretty special aren’t they 🐦
Indeed
<3
Very nice photos, Cindy.
Thank you. Happy you enjoyed.
So very beautiful.
Mother Nature was in a great mood when she made these guys! <3 🐦
Stunning captures, Cindy!
Thank you Donna & happy weekend 🐦
Same to you Cindy!
<3
Flickers like these occasionally drop in at my place and check out the suet hanging from the clothesline. They are very smart looking. I love those spots, and the orange under-wings. Your great photos let me appreciate them better than my real life sightings.
What a lovely comment. Thank you. And I am happy we both share visits with these shy, but gorgeous birds <3 🐦
How I love being introduced to new-to-me birds and animals via your wonderful pictures, Cindy – thank you!
Awww, you just made me very happy I posted! Thank you Liz 🕊️
🥰🌸
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Photos from Cindy Knoke of a Flicker who’s quite a character to beautiful scenes in the San Bernardino Mountains of California.
Hugs & Happy Saturday Patricia <3 🕊️
He is very handsome!
And so nappily dressed! 🕊️
Sehr schön, Cindy. Bei uns sieht er ähnlich aus, wir nennen in Eichelhäher.
Ja, Spechte und Jays sehen gleich aus. Danke Ernst & ein schönes Wochenende, mein Freund!
What a remarkably beautiful and interesting looking creature, with a beautiful name to match. And that scenery is such a dreamscape!
So wonderful to hear from you my friend & be well <3 🐦
Your bird shots are phenomenal! What model of camera do you use and the settings?
https://bossomofthenile.wordpress.com/the-nile-basin-a-threatened-ornithological-paradise/
You are very kind & most appreciated! Thank you. I take all bird photos with my Sony HX400. It has a 1200mm adjustable lens which allows me to zoom right in with no tripod.
You are welcome Cindy. It is only fair to compliment good art and seek to learn the secret in the ‘recipe’. I realize Sony have an edge over their competitor models because of the Carl-Zeiss lens technology. There is a certain crispness of picture that brings images to life in a way few other do. I use a Nikon D3400 and B500.
Also, wonderful cameras. I am basically a Sony person at this point. My other camera is the new, very fast RXII. I am worried that Sony seems to have stopped further productions of the HX series and doesn’t seem to be coming out with a HX500, which is very disappointing. The camera is rather fragile, which could be the reason, but it’s zoom and stability are awesome.
I would want to believe that part of the challenges with production in the camera industry is raw competition from cellphone cameras. The mobile phone companies are literally trying to pack the power of a regular standard camera into the palm of your hand in a cellphone. Tough business out there. They now even have mounted clip zoom lenses.
Wow! I didn’t know about the clip zoom lens.
Breathtaking scenery, Cindy and beautifully captured by you! As for the Flicker, it’s as if you’re best of pals and it’s happy to pose for you at great length! Wonderful colouring and patterns. Happy Weekend and thank you for sharing a snippet of your travels with us … a lovely start to my Saturday. Xx
I have wanted to get decent photos of this bird for a long time, but they were just too shy, so I was amazed when this handsome guy let me take so many, so close. Thank you for your very kind thoughts Annika <3 🐦
That is one beautiful bird.
And shy too. The more beautiful the bird, the shyer they often are 🐦
A beautiful bird. Just love those polka dots.
I think Mother Nature had fun designing this 🐦!
A colourful bird well captured – and good landscapes for context
Thank you Derrick & Happy Weekend 🐦
Gorgeous bird, gorgeous photos as always!
Awww, so kind & so appreciated!
I did not know that wood peckers have cousin that is good looking. I am wondering the red shifted flicker do have the same habit as the wood pecker or not. I like red shifted flicker color tone of its feathers better. The black dots on the brown look great.
Those are gorgeous scenery pictures!
You are such a thoughtful friend, thank you! And yes, these woodpeckers peck big-time! 🐦
Ok, I might like them a little less 🙂 No, I am just kidding. I like them all just not when they peck on your house 🙂
Absolutely gorgeous photos! Love the colors of that western woodpecker and those scenery shots are amazing. So glad that finally the drought will ease.
The plants and wild creatures are celebrating. Have a wonderful weekend Linda <3 🐦
Gorgeous captures as always we do love admiring our feathered friends 🙂
They dress so much better than we do!
Such a tiny bird, got so much attention, it certainly is gorgeous. Thanks for the awesome photos. 🙂
Good things come in small packages! Happy Saturday <3 🐦
This is the first time I’ve ever seen or heard of these birds! They are gorgeous!!
And the mountains, too…I miss the mountains…thank you for posting, Cindy!
Thank you more for your very kind appreciation Sheila & Happy Anniversary!
Thanks so much to you, too, Cindy!
COLOURS ARE FANTASTIC CINDY AND SOME GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS, CHINA
china.alexandria@livingthedream.blog
Reblogged this on LIVING THE DREAM.
As always. Great photos Cindy! Thanks
Gorgeous photos, and I’m glad they got so much snow! Droughts suck.
Droughts are horrible. It is raining now! 🐦
What beautiful coloring and markings on this woodpecker! And the region you live looks wonderful and very inviting. Thanks Cindy.
Oh, the woodpecker is so beautiful. Great photos, Cindy!
Love the capture of the San Bernardino Mountains, breathtaking. 🙂
Hugs & Happy Weekend Amy <3 🐦
Thank you for your kindness & be well my friend 🐦
Beautiful images Cindy! What a blessing to have seen one that was so relaxed around you.
Thanks much. It is unusual to get this close, as they are typically quite shy, so I was thrilled.
I love those birds. Their calls are like some wild tropical thing. The coloring differences east to west are very interesting. Our flickers have the little red patch on the head but dark cheeks and the yellow accents. In the south, they’re called yellowhammers for that coloration and their drumming, I guess.
I love the name yellowhammers! So creative. I would so like to see the eastern variety.
That is one gorgeous bird. I’m taken with the very notion of a bird having cheeks. That the cheeks have a distinct, vivid color on the creature is icing on the… um, cheek. Lovely photos, as always.
Cheekie birdies!!! 🐦🐦
The Nature is the best Artist of all! And you are one of the best promoter of its Art!
Awwww. Visa versa 2UX2 Alexander & thank you!
😊 Thank you
What beautiful markings he has, Cindy.
Leslie
He is quite well dressed!! 🐦 <3
🙂 xoxo
That last picture is breath taking, so beautiful <3 Love the birdie, Cindy, I wish he was living here😺Pawkisses for a Happy Weekend🐾😽💞
I was just looking at your kitty photos! So sweet. Happy Weekend to you. 🐦 <3
How wonderful that the drought is lifted! Beautiful flicker; I’ve seen one like this in my neighborhood!
They definitely get your attention don’t they! 🕊️
I just called it a woodpecker, but a birder near me corrected me with blah, blah, blah flicker. Obviously, I’m not a good birder, but I enjoy nature nonetheless.
Actually you are correct. A flicker is a type of woodpecker. I don’t birdwatch in groups because it gets competitive about who knows more. I am like you. I don’t that much about birds and am no expert. I just love them. So we can birdwatch together, unknowing, but enjoying. Much more fun! <3 🕊️
Yup. Me too! Happily ignorant of bird names. Love them anyway.
Beautiful photos, Cindy! The feather detail is wonderful and so cool that the red underside of the tail feathers is visible. And yay for much needed moisture! 🙂
Thank you for such kind thoughts Myriam & be well my friend <3 🕊️
Beautiful photos.
Grazie mille 🕊️
What a beauty!
Mother Nature was feeling very good when she designed this guy!!! <3 🕊️
Brilliant Flicker Pics, Cindy, really gorgeous. RH
Ahhh, so pleased you enjoyed & Happy Sunday! 🐤
What a handsome bird. I hadn’t seen one of these up close. Beautiful photos, Cindy.
Thank you & I am happy you enjoyed them 🐤
Colorful bird. How lovely. 💕
He commends your excellent taste! 😉
How do you find so many amazing things so close to home? How beautiful.
Thank you! There is beauty everywhere.
You know how it is, we see the beauty around us, but when you look at other countries, continents, the world seems so exotic.
I know exactly what you mean. It is so good to go other places, because it helps you realize, that where you came from is just as beautiful, in different ways.
I like it that you know this.
I’ve been around, but I have learnt to really appreciate the beauty of where I live, wherever that is.
Exactly. We are bombarded by depressing news and images. It’s good to find the beauty.
wunderschön, liebe Cindy, mache es dir richtig gemütlich und genieße den Tag
Du bist sehr nett. Ich habe eine wunderbare Woche, mein Freund.
danke, alles wird gut
<3 <3
Simply gorgeous, Cindy. Thank you!
Ah, thank you more sweet friend <3
😍
❤️😍❤️
Will this snow help with the drought and wildfires? I sure hope so. Lovely birdie, Cindy!
Yes, the drought is being alleviated. There is storm after storm arriving, which in Southern California means precipitation, either snow or rain. All of this will help.
The drought is a persistent beast however, and I am not at all sure it has yet been beaten.
The downside of all the moisture, is that it causes all the grasses, weeds, and bushes to grow, which of course, if the drought remains dominant, which I fear it might, just means more fuel for the fires to come, starting in about September.
Somebody probably needs to turn a herd of goats loose on those bushes to kind of prune them out before wildfire season.
People do that if they have fenced pastures. Here the coyotes would pick them off one by one.
Eek! How awful!! (See how little I know??)
It was a steep and scary learning curve for me too, but now it is home <3
What a handsome (and relaxed) little guy!
Which is unusual, because the more a bird stands out from its peers, the more shy and avoidant it usually is.
Interesting.
Love our Western cousins!
<3 <3
Beautiful images as always Cindy 🙂
Thank you John & be well.
What a beautiful bird!
Amazing isn’t he.
What beautiful woodpeckers and in a fantastic environment!😀
Love to you and Wolfie, sweet people 🙂 <3
Wooowwwwwwww!!! God`s wonderful creation meets a super talented photographer! Phantastic! 🤩👌🏼
Ahhhh, smiling, you are so kind. Thank you & be well <3
How gorgeous photos. Your bird photos are amazing and landscapes – wow. I noticed the word San Bernardino in Your text. We have been visited to San Bernardino many years ago and it was due to the Song telling about San Bernardino. 🙂 Thank You.
Have a good day!
Thank you for your thoughtfulness. It is much appreciated. I think you are referring to this song by the Christies:
“I’ve been all around this great big world
to Paris and Rome
And I’ve never found a place that I could
really call my own.
But there’s one place where I know
the sun is shining endlessly
And it’s calling me across the sea
so I must get back to SAN BERNADINO.”
The San Bernardino Mountain range is surrounded by other ranges, many of which are still quite wild, and beautiful, and high.
That is the Song. Many years ago, we made a road trip visiting, San Francisco, Muir Woods, Yosemite, Las Vegas, Hollywood, Las Angeles and many places between them. So, song made us to visit San Bernardino. Isn’t very cool.
Also, we cried when we heard in San Francisco the song: San Francisco by Scott McKenzie..
What a wonderful experience and sounds like lasting beautiful memories. We live is a very small world <3 <3
I love how you can get close up to the birds. We are under freezing rain at the moment.
I took some photos of wrens up close on the other side of my picture window – but they aren’t in my PC yet. I need a better camera!
Anyway I do have some friends from FL – I’ll send them to you via an email 🙂
I saw the Florida photos and assumed you were there. Stay warm! <3 More snow storms coming here too, but it is good for us.
What a gorgeous gentleman. xxx
Yes, the creeks are full and flowing and the mountains are covered in snow and the plants and animals are happy!
<3
Nice to know the snowfall has been heavy. Bet the storms have been a relief for the wildlife as well. Beautiful photos, Cindy. :O)
Fantastic, Cindy
Happy you enjoyed & cheers to you Robert <3
What beautiful photos you take. Somehow, God has given me an increased love for birds over the last few years. I think seeing Alfred Hitchcock’s movie, “The Birds” ruined them for me for a while. My roommate in college was terrified of birds. I wonder if she saw that flick. Now, I snap to attention when a bird goes gliding by or I catch one at rest. Then I soak in the beauty of the little darlings. Thanks for showing us your pix.
Hitchcock’s movie was excellent, but it certainly didn’t advance understanding of bird behavior. I am so glad you appreciate birds more now as reflections of the wonder of God <3
Could be a bird sculpture by Robert Hooke
I had to google him. Fascinating. Reminds me a bit of the wide ranging interests of Da Vinci.
✨💞✨💞✨
Hi Cindy, I vastly understated what I think of your photos. They are certainly much more than just pretty pictures. The composition, lighting and clarity are really superb, especially the ones of the Red Flicker. Professional quality. Do you mind if I re-post them on my blog?
I would be honored and thank you for your kindness. Happy Valentines Day! 💕
What gorgeous birds. Quite dapper.
He is all dressed up with lots of places to go! Happy Valentines Day Brenda! 💕
They do have all the wide open places we can’t go.
True and thankfully this keep those places unspoiled for the time being. Happy Friday Brenda.
I’m happy we still have wilderness in our world.
<3 <3
Reblogged this on Lyn Horner's Corner and commented:
Gorgeous photos by Cindy Knoke.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness Lyn & Happy Valentines Day my friend! 💕
Brilliant photos as always, thanks for sharing.
Thanks much more for your kind appreciation & Happy Valentines Day! 💕
Breathtaking photos, Cindy. The flicker is a real beauty!
LOL. When I first saw the name, all I could think of was something large and orange that I hoped was getting the shaft. o_O
TGIF hugs!
Laughing……that sounds so much like Le Donald! Maybe this is a Freudian slip! Laughing more….. Happy Weekend Teagan!
Birds are a real marvel. Beautiful! ❤
Thank you for appreciating them & cheers to you!
Such a gorgeous bird, Cindy. Your photos always take my breath away. I love that the little fellow started to nod off.
Awww, thank you sweet friend. It was unusual for a woodpecker and me. At The Holler they fly away at the sight of me!
How did you ever get so close to get pics like these , Cuz ??? 🐦
You have to ask the woodpecker. I was shocked he let me so near. Woodpeckers are generally terrified by the sight of me! Hugs to you cuz~
Beautiful images of the bird and landscape.
Thank you John.
Beautiful bird and setting, dear Cindy.
Blessings ~ Wendy Mac
Much appreciated Wendy & blessings back to you <3
These images are wonderful
I am truly happy you enjoyed them & cheers!
🙂
The beauty of birds never ceases to amaze me!
Ditto! 🐦 <3
The woodpecker is pretty! I love birds – and who don’t love birds. Keep sharing Cindy, and thank you for this. Juli
I <3 people who <3 birds!
Fantastic, and fantastic and fantastic
Your kindness is why I love blogging.
Undoubtedly your photos set the standards of excellence in this art. They are very beautiful.
I am touched by your kind and thoughtful words. Cheers to you~
What a beautiful bird! Love your photos!
Thank you so much, much appreciated.
You’re welcome!
<3
😁❤
Such stunning vistas & beauty of a bird, Cindy! The rolls of soft fog between the crests rising into the sky is a marvel! 😊
You and kind and observant. Thank you Felipe. Much appreciated.
Thank “you” Cindy! – Happy Labor Day Weekend! 😊
<3
Beautiful bird and beautiful photography.
You are very kind my friend.
Thank toi!