Downy Woodpecker by Dan Huber

Posted by Dan Huber

Downy Woodpecker male - From October2011

    This last year, I have stayed fairly local, not chasing many birds so that I could learn more about the "common" birds.  I have stayed mostly to my local patch learning it's birds and spots well, and now that winter is coming with cold weather, my feeders see more regular activity as well, giving me ample time (at least on the weekends) to observe my feeder birds up close.  I love to take photos, and often birding, getting a photo allows me to identify it more precisely later on, but there is nothing like having the chance to observe the details in the field and sketching helps me do that.  Looking through binoculars at a bird 5 feet away gives some neat close-up looks.

From October2011

   I admit to cheating some and sketching from my photos, as I have trouble getting the details on paper when they are moving around and I tend to get an outline, but I am practicing. I like noticing the details seen in atypical poses, exposing the underside of the tail-feathers for instance.  When we think of Downies they are black and white, but would you recognize the feathers and location of that feather if you saw one?  A great resource for bird feathers is below:

From 12-11

Downy wing secondary wing feather - note it is illegal to own/collect feathers of migratory birds so taking photos can be a great way to preserve the found feathers. From 12-11

Not a typical view of Downies - note the pattern on the underside of the tail feathers - From October2011

Some tail feathers are solid black, the outer are banded on the edges - From October2011

From Sketches

Suave Morning doo - From November 2011