Or should I say Woodette?
Something caught my eye hopping up and down the large Pine tree out one of our back windows. I couldn't believe it when I saw what it was. I've only seen one once in our yard several years ago during the winter.
This is a female Pileated Woodpecker. According to my bird book they are unusual to see even in forests or parks, although their pecking/drilling noise is commonly heard in wooded areas.
Also, according to my book Birds of Seattle and Puget Sound, they usually require mature trees and up to 1000 acres to settle. Occasionally they can adapt to suburban areas.
Pretty amazing to see one in a park, let alone my own backyard which is far from 1000 acres! I read on the internet that they are very shy and "careful stalking" is usually required to see one.
They can be 16 - 19 inches, and this one definitely seemed to be on the larger end of the scale. They are the largest Woodpecker in North America after the Ivory billed Woodpecker.
She spent her time checking out a bird feeder and birdhouse. Even pecking to check for insects.
One last look around and she took off.
I wonder how many times I've missed other birds that have visited when I wasn't home or not looking. Seeing her and being able to take some pictures was definitely a great part of the day.
oh, how lucky to witness that beautiful woodpecker. I've never seen them around my yard. Maybe now that she's discovered what a paradise you've created, she'll come back? I definitely think I miss a lot in my backyard ~ what I do see is about being in the right place at the right time. Good thing that happened for you this day and that you were able to get such good photos too.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing find... and such great pictures. I'd love to see one of these. They are such beautiful birds. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteThose are really good photos of Ms. Pileated Woodpecker. We'd see them often when we lived at the lake where we were surrounded by old tall hemlocks and beech trees. Did your girls see it, too? I always suspected you were a "careful stalker" so I'm not surprised by these great pictures:)
ReplyDeleteMost beautiful! A very elusive and hard bird to catch for sure so it is great you caught her!
ReplyDeleteWow! I follow several "bird watcher" blogs and they spend weeks and weeks hoping to get pictures like these that you got in your own backyard. Truly amazing photos and you should be thrilled. Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteWOW! That must be great. And so many god pictures you got there / gittan
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots, how lucky to get them. I've been trying to get a photo of the hummers dancing around my yard....but they are so fast!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! I love seeing her details. We do see them, but usually in the tiptops of the pear trees or other trees, and only for a few moments. I'm glad you could capture the moment and share with us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thrill--lucky you! Great pictures. From the pictures, it looks like she's taking a good, hard look at the accommodations...
ReplyDeleteNot only were you fortunate to see that woodpecker, you were very blessed to get pictures. An old friend of mine in Minnesota would talk on and on about seeing a woodpecker like that as it was so rare.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! She certainly seemed to be right at home in your garden!
ReplyDeleteWe have Pileated Woodpeckers on our farm (lots of mature trees, and our farm is surrounded by several hundred acres of undeveloped floodplain). They are magnificent birds, and if I ever manage to get a good picture of one I'll be really lucky. Hearing one call or drum or seeing one fly overhead, or even seeing one feeding on a tree is not the same as getting a good close-up.
Congratulations on getting such good pictures! It must have been exciting to see this bird in your yard, especially when you weren't expecting it.
How wonderful for you to get such great shots of her. They are beautiful! I may have seen one here once or twice - not sure if it was the same one (I got a blury pic) but it was colored the same and pretty big. I believe it may have been responsible for a huge bunch of sap running down one of our fir trees!
ReplyDeleteThose are some wonderful shots. We see them down here occasionally in the pine trees in the backyard and in the neighbors property.
ReplyDeleteFlowerLady
You are so lucky to have this visitor to your garden! I've been trying all summer to attract woodpeckers, but without sucess. I didn't know Sundown was scented, will have to lean in closer to test it.
ReplyDeleteA rare chance and with photographs.. Your garden must be very homely even to woodpecker... Congratulations ~ bangchik
ReplyDeleteHow utterly wonderful! I'm so glad you got to experience such a special visit =) We don't have woodpeckers here in Australia and your photos were a treat for me. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to see a Pileated, but never have. Great shots you got! I can sure understand your excitement!
ReplyDeleteThose are great pictures. We have seen a male in the trees in the neighbors yard, but it is rare. I love to see woodpeckers!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, how nice that you were able to get photos of the woodpecker. I saw one last year, just as I was turning out of our driveway onto the main road. It was pecking on a tree just across the road, and dang it, I did not have my camera with me. They sure are wonderful looking birds.
ReplyDeleteSo lucky you could take some pictures of your unusual visitor. The pictures are lovely. Thanks for sharing them.
ReplyDeleteI am SO JEALOUS!!!!! Pileated woodpeckers are one of my FAVORITE birds. Yes, they are very shy and scare away easily. So you were very, very, very blessed. How wonderful! You got some wonderful pictures of it too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I love how well you captured her and how much she seems to like it in your yard!~
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome bird. Seems very confident. You sure grabbed unique shots and I was laughing at his need for so much space. Not very social huh?
ReplyDeleteWe get a lot of pileated woodpeckers on our property too, but this bird looks as if she is checking out a possible new home! Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love woodpeckers. They're always so full of character
ReplyDeleteFortunate timing, I'll say! I love the pic of her back with the red flowers in the background...beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAmazing. A Pileasted Woodpecker in your backyard. What did you have in that feeder?
ReplyDeleteOur neighborhood is filled with these woodpeckers. We have seen about 6 at one time!!! They look prehistoric to me!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like depending where you live they aren't all that uncommon. I was really surprised to see it here because there aren't any wooded areas around.
ReplyDeleteThe feeder just had regular mixed seed, probably picked over by the squirrels already.
I've still never seen one of these birds before Catherine. They are really interesting looking.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos Thanks for sharing them with us.
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos. Just seeing her would thrill me, How lucky are you that she hung around and smiled for you. Great post, I really enjoyed reading and seeing it. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie!I am not surprized that he chose your garden vs. your neighbors'.
ReplyDeleteReally nice! Great shots.
ReplyDeleteThis is soooo cool! I love how you captured Woody Woodpecker in each of the photos! I love woodpeckers. They are fun birds to watch and listen to.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I've been catching up and enjoying your posts in bloglines. Your garden is looking wonderful. I especially love the butterfly bush and all your hummingbird plants.
ReplyDeleteBut this little lady is just spectacular...wow! What a bit of luck! You got some wonderful shots. I'd so love to see one in our yard. I've spotted a yellow bellied sapsucker a few times lately, but it only stays for a few minutes so no photos yet.
Two little warblers were chatting to me this morning, really close, but I didn't have my camera in hand. Darn! Hope I see them again tomorrow.