Northern Flicker
Quabbin Reservoir, Route 9, Belchertown
Photograph and text by Anne E. Ely, South Hadley
I was happy to see this female (no black mustache) flicker land and stay still long enough for me to get a photograph. The beautiful yellow color under the tail and wings identify this bird as a yellow-shafted northern flicker. I frequently park my car in pull-offs at Quabbin Reservoir hoping to catch a few shots of birds using my hand-held DSLR camera. Unfortunately, not all are as cooperative as this one was, but even if I don’t manage to capture a good image, it’s very pleasant to just sit and listen to the many bird songs.
Anne E. Ely is affiliated with the Robert Floyd Photo Gallery, 2 East St., Southampton. It is open Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., also, by chance/appointment.