Pilly!

 I was out Sunday afternoon with Kyanne and looked out in the woods from the fence as I often do and there was a Pileated Woodpecker on a tree about 15 feet off the ground and fairly close!  I forgot my camera in the house and even though it's not a great camera for distance it seems better than my phone, so I ran back in to get it knowing I likely lost my chance at a decent pic.

It was still on the tree but lower to the ground.  It flew off to another smaller tree and then quickly flew down to the ground.  It started hammering on a fallen log and was mostly hidden in the weeds.  I watched it for maybe 10 minutes.  What struck me was how hard they hit with their beaks.  Below is the best of what I was able to capture.  I saw one flying in the woods a few weeks ago so this confirms they live in the area.  

Pileated Woodpecker and an Eastern Bluebird

If it's sunny outside, I try to remember to take out my pocket camera in case I see something.  It's not a great camera for zooming but does it faster than my phone and the pics are slightly better.  Someday I will have a better camera for zooming in, but the best camera is the one you have with you.

I was out with Kyanne on Sunday standing at the top of my hill by the fence and movement in the woods caught my eye.  It was a Pileated Woodpecker!  Not my first sighting behind our house but it's not something you experience often so I grabbed what photos I could.  It was hard to miss once you saw the size.

The next day I was looking out our back window and noticed an Eastern Bluebird flying down in the yard and back to the tree overhanging our fence.  Grabbed the same camera and got this shot...

Not sure where it is nesting...the sparrows have taken over the boxes my neighbor put out.

Wow! Finally not just one Pileated Woodpecker...but two!

 Possibly a once in a lifetime moment happened on Easter.  I saw movement in the woods close to the ground.  The wings I saw were large and I thought maybe a Cooper's Hawk was on the hunts.  But I was seeing black and white flashes.  Then I saw another bird that looked the same.  I knew then what I was seeing and grabbed my camera and ran outside.  I told Cindy all is okay and I would explain later.

I had "seen" a Pileated Woodpecker last year...but just a silhouette and heard the laughing call.  What was unusual to me is I had the impression that they liked to stay higher up in the trees.  I don't have the best camera but it was the best at the time!  Here is what I saw...

Saw (and heard!) my first Pileated Woodpecker

 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.

(male from internet)