Pic of the Day

Gila Woodpecker, Melanerpes uropygialis:

                                                 Gilbert Water Ranch; Gilbert, Arizona
        In June the Saguaro Cactus fruit ripens and most of the desert animals feast on the fruit's red meat and seeds.  Here, a female Gila Woodpecker pauses for this portrait as she eats.  The saguaro fruit is also one of the staples she feeds to her nestlings.

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/800 sec. @ f8