Favoritos de nvuoso

Natural bridges state beach, minus tide. Came upon a cluster of four ochre stars all larger than hand sized (10”-12” tip to tip). Each were oozing an opaque fluid which was pooling onto the moist sand below. The fluid was either a bright coral color or a pale off white. We watched it for a few minutes, and it would drip at a rate of one or two drops per minute. The stars appeared full and plump, not wasting away. We wondered if they were spawning, but were unaware that that took place outside of the water.

My best guess is a Lewis’s woodpecker, but definitely want some help confirming. I was on the mosquito lake trail head in mineral king, sequoia/kings canyon, dusk. Bird was solo, hopping on a branch near a creek. The pics are slightly backlit. Definite pinkish red head, solid back, with prominent white stripe between wing and breast. I’ve seen a Lewis’s only once before, and at the time noted the greenish back; low light made it difficult to discern that color.