Red-Headed Woodpecker

A Red-Headed Woodpecker sighting has been reported in Ipswich for weeks on Ebird.  When it was first reported, it didn't even have a red head yet but in the last few posted photos, the head has been turning red.  I decided I'd better get up there and take a chance on seeing it before it was too late.  I drove down Argilla Road in Ipswich without seeing anything but soon passed two birders at the side of the road (78 Argilla Road).  Success!  I turned around, parked and they pointed out the beautiful bird.  It was at a bad angle for photos, but I had some good views of it anyway!  A life bird!

Red-Headed Woodpecker (#64)

From here, I moved on to Crane Beach, where I enjoyed a cold walk on the beach.  Until the snow melts, the beach is a good place to walk without having to trudge through drifts!

There wasn't much in the way of wildlife, besides gulls hunting crabs in the shallows.

Herring Gull

The Crane Estate

From here, I took Route 133 through Essex and into Gloucester.  I added Hooded Merganser (#65) at Periwinkles, a favorite eating place of ours in Essex (which incidentally is closed for the winter from Nov-Mar). There were also Common Mergansers, Buffleheads and Canada geese there.  As long as I was this close, I couldn't go home without stopping in Rockport.  Here's my requisite photo of Motif #1.

Horned Grebe

Gadwalls (#66)

Common Loon

Every time I've visited Granite Pier and Halibut State Park in the past, I've admired several granite buildings in the area.  They really are quite beautiful.