And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

 Well, that seemed simple enough - then I read that Brant geese line their nests with "copious amounts" of down, using more down than do Eider ducks, from her book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Arctic

 So I have just identified a Downy woodpecker - and had it confirmed:

It often feed on suet hung out at winter bird feeding stations. Now I know where to look.

No Redhead . so female but that would also apply to Hairy woodpeckers, too.

The point for ID that I was given was the shorter/smaller bill that the Downy has, compared to the larger Hairy. I compare distance from eye to base of bill to length of bill - comparable for the Hairy. So now for some profile shots. Please pose - and smile if possible for the camera:

Thank you.

And now why the name, Downy? Nesting   I looked it up and:

"The cavity is lined only with wood chips."  !!!

Seems strange, Try Google:

"The Downy's name refers to the soft white feathers of the white strip on the lower back, which differ from the more hairlike feathers on the Hairy Woodpecker."

And I'm  just a hairy guy! So there you are - if I hadn't asked I would not have been able to sleep tonight. A summary.

I guess I am ready for the Christmas Bird Count.

 

WOB

 

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

I have spent so much of my life trying to "connect" that I now find it difficult to disconnect, also socially, during our pandemic. We would work so hard and then came that day, usually a Friday, when we would send our manuscript away for refereeing and publication. The relief!

It was Saturday, Sept 28, 2013, I believe, when Vicki and I were at Long Point to hear Colin Jones talk to us about dragonflies and their migration. And how we could help/ citizen science. I thought about the idea and realized that I could give a talk connecting the Big Bang and Dragonfly Migration. I think I actually did this at the Carden Centre on Wed Aug 9, 2017.

On Tuesday Mar 24, I spent an hour or so next door at the Leacock estate contemplating and observing several birds. I was wondering about connecting several ideas for Killarney when my attention was grabbed by a delightful little bird. And it lead me to the title that you have to place on Dec 24/25, and maybe even back some 70 years or so. A little tenuous for you?

Consider this, to quote REM,

Just checking!

And so now you have the connection.

WOB

(And to all a good night.)