Woody's Back

Ann McRae

One of the really unique bird experiences we've had since moving to this place is being visited by pileated woodpeckers. They are so cool! Two winters ago, there was a pair that must have nested close by, because the following summer we had ma, pa and young uns. I didn't see them last winter. But this past week, look who stopped by the feeder:


Two, two, two woodpeckers at once:


Eeeek, your not my mother:


Actually it was the shutter that spooked them.
That afternoon, I also had a hairy woodpecker visit, and possibly a sap sucker!

ann

Skippy

Ann McRae wrote:

One of the really unique bird experiences we've had since moving to this place is being visited by pileated woodpeckers. They are so cool! Two winters ago, there was a pair that must have nested close by, because the following summer we had ma, pa and young uns. I didn't see them last winter. But this past week, look who stopped by the feeder:


Two, two, two woodpeckers at once:
Eeeek, your not my mother:

Actually it was the shutter that spooked them.
That afternoon, I also had a hairy woodpecker visit, and possibly a sap sucker!

ann

Wow Ann, they have a very distinct red crest don't they.
Huge difference in sizes between the two species too.

I don't get visitors like that in my backyard .... Skippy
.

Maestro

How I envy you. My yard has been rather dead latley and I am still trying to get my first photos of a pileated woodpecker. They are very handsome!

Harv

Very nice, Ann. Those pileated woodpeckers are awesome, aren't they? I don't see many around here and only have a few pictures of them. I was amazed at the size of these birds when I first saw them.

dbaker1221

good ones Ann! pileated woodpeckers are pretty cool

Ann McRae

Hey skippy

Do you have bird feeders? I am going to make a concerted effort to keep his (see the red stripe by the beak?) favorite food available all winter.

There is an inermediate size species too -called the hairy woodpecker. That one has proven the most difficult for me to get a shot of.

Too bad he wasn't visiting when you were here. They are bigger than magpies, so really impressive birds.

ann

Skippy wrote:

Wow Ann, they have a very distinct red crest don't they.
Huge difference in sizes between the two species too.

I don't get visitors like that in my backyard .... Skippy
.

raptorcaptor

Now that's a bird I'd like to get some shots of! Nice photos Ann!

Ann McRae

Maestro wrote:

How I envy you. My yard has been rather dead latley and I am still trying to get my first photos of a pileated woodpecker. They are very handsome!

Hi Maestro

The pileateds need huge territories - I live really close to a large river, and have huge tree stands behind my home in a creekbed that runs to the river.

I also only see them if I have a consistent supply of suet out.

They are gorgeous, and I sure hope that I get a good shot of them this winter.

ann

Ann McRae

Thanks, Harv. Hope to be able to get some awesome shots of him this winter.
ann

Harv wrote:

Very nice, Ann. Those pileated woodpeckers are awesome, aren't they? I don't see many around here and only have a few pictures of them. I was amazed at the size of these birds when I first saw them.

Ann McRae

Thanks - I think they are really special. Maybe it's just because I grew up with Woody Woodpecker!!!

dbaker1221 wrote:

good ones Ann! pileated woodpeckers are pretty cool

Ann McRae

Well, Glen, you could always visit the great white north!!!

Thanks

Ann

raptorcaptor wrote:

Now that's a bird I'd like to get some shots of! Nice photos Ann!

raptorcaptor

Ann McRae wrote:

Well, Glen, you could always visit the great white north!!!

Thanks

Ann

One of these days maybe!

jdmphoto

Nice photos, it's very nice to see them except when they're poking a hole in your house.:D

Ann McRae

Never experienced that with a pileated. Actually haven't ever seen one of them hammer on a tree. I have seen downies come after bugs on the house, hairy's pecking away at power poles, and loudest of all, sapsuckers pecking on the aluminum eaves troughs on our house!!! Talk about racket!

ann

jdmphoto wrote:

Nice photos, it's very nice to see them except when they're poking a hole in your house.:D

dallas

You're lucky to have them around........good shots.

Ann McRae

Thanks, William. I am lucky, and I am looking forward to more of him, maybe his lady and the owl my hubby told me he saw the other day!
ann

dallas wrote:

You're lucky to have them around........good shots.