Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: P1010916 FZ18

Creeper camouflage

01 Dec 2007 137
To quote the first sentence in the "Birds of Alberta" book by Fisher and Acorn: "Creepers are downright hard to find". Intent on its feeding, the creeper spirals up large tree trunks, myopically plucking hidden invertebrate morsels from bark fissures with its tweezer-like bill. When it reaches the upper branches, the creeper takes a short flight down to the base of a neighbouring tree to begin another ascent. When Brown Creepers are frightened, they freeze and flatten against tree trunks, becoming even harder to see." Uncommon year-round in Alberta. Saw this one (and a second one) at Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park, this afternoon. Very difficult birds to photograph, as they move so quickly!