“Bird lady”…

That’s what two walkers said when they saw a downy woodpecker take a peanut from my hand…”You must be the bird lady! How do you do that?” the man asked. All I could reply was, “They like peanut chips!”

I don’t make a habit of feeding the critters in the park. After all, they are wild creatures, and, for the most part, except during extremely cold and snowy winters, they are self-sufficient. However, I do sometimes entice the chickadees, cardinals, titmice, and woodpeckers with a small serving of peanut chips. These are bite-sized little tidbits that create no mess, and don’t do any harm to the environment, and I consider them payment for the many photo opportunities they provide for me. Chickadees and titmice are friendly little birds, and they don’t need too much persuasion to take a peanut chip or two from my hand, but this was the first time a downy woodpecker had ever attempted it. I was as amazed as the couple who happened to walk by. It was evening, and time for me to head for home, but first I captured a few pictures to share so you can enjoy the beauty of the birds, just as I do.