Red-Bellied and Downy Woodpeckers....

I never tire of the woodpeckers, no matter how many times I see them. The sun was shining and the Red-Bellied Woodpecker was posing nicely. I think the Red-Bellied is one of the prettiest woodpeckers out there, and that red head and beautiful B&W patterned back make it a real eye catcher.
Side or back...it still looks pretty :-)

"Anything here for me?"

You can see a bit of the red on the belly that gives it the name. Hardly its most noticable feature, but I guess you can't call them all "red headed".

He goes to the trouble to select the sunflower seeds from the suet instead of just eating sunflower seeds at one of the other feeders! Maybe the suet coating is sort of like "gravy" for him.

He finally noticed the little ant guard cups that I use for seeds and is being selective about which seed might be just the right one.

"Ah, ha....this is the one!"

For such a large woodpecker, he can be very dainty in his actions.

The Downy was really wanting to get to the suet, too and tried to share. The Red-Bellied doesn't really like sharing and usually pokes anyone who tries it. He had already chased the Blue Jay away, but I guess the Downy is a "small cousin", so they had a sort of truce.

The female Downy decided that the crumbs that got dropped on the ground were just as good.
Downys don't stand out so well on the ground!

The Downy male sneaking in when the Red-Bellied was gone.

Then of course there always the House Sparrows who will bully their way in, no matter who is there first! They are hard to chase away, even by the woodpeckers!