Ever since I first started feeding my backyard birds a few years ago I’ve had Downy Woodpeckers at my feeders. They normally head straight for the suet feeder because it has a “tail prop” that helps it balance while it eats as it is used to feeding on the side of a tree and not bent over some wood-lipped feeder.
A few weeks ago I found a limb in my yard what was about the right size so I strung it between two of my shepherd’s hooks and now the birds land on the branch while they wait for their turn at the feeders and I get photos of the birds on a branch instead of some manmade contraption. It’s a win-win kinda thing.
Tonight, with the soft pattern of drying leaves and a spot of grass here and there in the background, I managed to catch the Downy before he lowered himself down to partake of the suet feeder.










