Splash of Color

Laurie Stuchlik of Milton sent this lucky shot. “My husband and I love to watch and feed the birds in our gardens every fall and winter,” she said. “This gorgeous female Red-Bellied Woodpecker arrived as if on cue just after putting out the first ears of corn.  She pleasantly posed for this shot before flying off again to other destinations!” Fun fact: As shown here, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers don’t actually have red on their bellies. According to Audubon.org, “Whoever first named the species must have had a wry sense of humor. For, on this strikingly patterned bird, the last thing you would likely notice is a slight blush of rose on its lower belly.”