Pileated Woodpecker

Over the week, a pair of Pileated WPs have been hanging around and checking out the trees.  Normally they fly the minute you zero in on them.  Late this afternoon one came in the yard and was so focused on working a tree limb I was able to slip out quietly and get some shots.


I suppose it was the mate to this one was a little farther back in the woods and kept calling.  Every now and then this one would lean back and let out a call.


The wind was really blowing the tree tops around this afternoon but didn't seem to bother the bird at all.  I think I was getting the case of motion queasies just watching through the camera viewfinder.

Pileated Woodpecker

The morning started out very cold after a late afternoon and early evening storm that laid down a thin layer of ice.  I just could not believe we were having yet another round of frozen precipitation.  The wind chill made it just too cold to go out this morning.  By the end of the day most of the ice on hard surfaces had melted although it did not get far above freezing today.  Old man winter is holding on hard!



Over the last two weeks, I have seen a Pileated Woodpecker checking out various trees around the yard.  This afternoon as I walked out to go put food out for the deer, I grabbed the camera.  While still overcast and gray, it had lightened up a bit so thought perhaps I could get a decent shot if I saw it.

The Pileated WPs always seems so elusive and camera shy it can be hard to get a good shot.  This afternoon it was so focused on working on the tree it paid little attention to me.  It would seriously work on the hole then stop, lean way back, look around for a while and start back on the tree.

I think these are such cool WP's.  I love to hear the noise they make.