We’ve been in the house almost 10 years. And it’s been my ritual any time I’m out with one of our dogs to walk around the yard looking for anything dead or alive and then end up at the top of my hill looking into the woods to see what I can see (or hear). Most days there is really nothing special to observe but the point of looking is you never know. Like the day a Cooper’s Hawk flew right toward me before perching on a dead tree…and then pursuing prey in the brush (see below).
So yesterday I was standing at the back fence just
looking to see what I could see or hear.
It was late afternoon and overcast.
One of those quiet afternoons. The
first thing that got my attention was the sound. My first thought was a duck or something
panicked. It was that strange. Then I saw something flying toward the far
edge of the woods in what seemed to be an erratic flight pattern…almost like a
Goldfinch. The sound I heard was like
laughter. With no growth on the trees, I could see the size and the silhouette with a crest.
I ran toward the house thinking I need to get my camera. I knew what I was seeing. Looking back, I should have stayed and just watched but I thought this was my chance in case it came closer. I ran into the house without Kyanne which was unusual. Cindy asked what was wrong and I said “It’s a Pileated Woodpecker…I’ll explain later!”
I ran back outside to the top of the hill. I could see it moving to my left still at a great distance still making a ruckus. Too far and too overcast to try for a picture. I texted my brother Dean that I just heard and saw a Pileated Woodpecker. He replied “I was actually going to send you a message today asking if you had ever seen one. It’s on my bucket list.” What amazing timing of my seeing one with him wondering if I ever had!
It hit me after I couldn’t see it anymore…the laugh, the crest…Woody Woodpecker!
Cartoonist Walter Lantz used the Pileated Woodpecker's jaunty crest and loud call as models for his most-famous creation, Woody Woodpecker. Its call is less of a "ha-hah, ha-ha-hah" and more of a high-pitched, maniacal laugh.
