Flicker Excavates A Home

Flicker Excavates A Home

A story in photographs.

The trunk of a large maple tree. A Northern Flicker has been excavating a hole. It clings to the bark of the maple tree, and sticks its head into the hole.
The trunk of a large maple tree. The Northern Flicker clings to the bark of the maple tree. It has pulled it's head out of the hole its been excavating.
The trunk of a large maple tree. A Northern Flicker has been excavating a hole. It clings to the bark of the maple tree. It has pulled its head out of the hole, and has a bit of wood in its beak.
The trunk of a large maple tree. The Northern Flicker is now inside the hole it has been excavating. It has a beak-full of wood.
The trunk of a large maple tree. The Northern Flicker's head is outside the hole it has been excavating. It has a beak-full of wood that it is flinging as hard as it can from its mouth. The flicker's eyes are shut to keep sawdust out.
The trunk of a large maple tree. The Northern Flicker's head is outside the hole it has been excavating. It has a beak-full of wood that it is flinging as hard as it can from its mouth. The wood chips are scattered in the air.
The trunk of a large maple tree. The Northern Flicker's head is outside the hole it has been excavating.  The flicker looks at the viewer, satisfied with its work.
The trunk of a large maple tree. The Northern Flicker's looks good.
The trunk of a large maple tree. A squirrel is at the lip of the hole the Northern Flicker has been excavating. The Flicker is nowhere to be found.
The trunk of a large maple tree.  The legs and tail of the squirrel are projecting from the whole.
The trunk of a large maple tree.  The tail of the squirrel is projecting from the whole.
The trunk of a large maple tree.  The face of the squirrel is visible inside the hole.
The trunk of a large maple tree.  The face of the squirrel is outside the whole the hole. It has taken possession of the hole.

3 responses to “Flicker Excavates A Home”

  1. Who knew Flickers were such precise little carpenters? Cheeky of the squirrel to try to homestead in that space though. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I really felt bad for the flicker – going through a week’s work only to be evicted. The flicker started on another hole, but his heart just wasn’t in it. I can’t say I blame him.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Rotten tree rat! Hopefully he’ll get his just desserts.

        Like

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