"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

An apple a day brings Woody for a visit.

Not all that long ago I had an unusual visitor (as you can read more about in this post). I was really surprised to have seen a Pileated Woodpecker in our yard. In the 10 years we've lived here I had only seen one other one years ago during the snow. Well, this morning it looks like Woodette's male friend decided to have a taste of one of our apples. I've seen finches eating apples in the tree, but this is the first Woodpecker. When I first saw him he was alone, then a Stellar's Jay tried to join him in his feast. The Jay was quickly shooed away.

This first picture was through the dining room window. It was so foggy out that I couldn't get a clear picture.

Then I quietly stepped out through the sliding doors to take a few more pictures. He was so busy with the apple he didn't seem to notice Sweet Pea or I standing there watching him.

Trying to get a little closer to capture his coloring I quietly walked across the gravel path in bare feet. Still didn't seem to mind or notice me getting closer.

You can see his vibrant red coloring here.

A bit of the juicy apple hanging from his beak.

As I got closer I could actually see him swallow the chunks of apple. That was pretty cool to see.

Here you can really see his "mustache" which is how the males are distinguished from the females. That was as close as I got, then he flew off.

He landed in our neighbor's tree to have an insect or two for dessert then flew off into the fog.

I'm glad that Sweet Pea got to see him. She couldn't believe how big he was. I hope he keeps coming back for his apple a day in the top of our tree.
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Posted by at 9:09 AM

38 comments:

  1. MatronOctober 20, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    What wonderful, wonderful pictures! I'm sure we don't begrudge him a few pecks of apple this time of year, do we?

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  2. tinaOctober 20, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    He'll come back often. So wonderful to see these birds up close and personal. The pileated woodpeckers are usually so shy so it is an even bigger bonus you both got so close.

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  3. The romantic query letter and the happy-ever-afterOctober 20, 2009 at 10:36 AM

    Paradise found. So much more than a field of dreams. Thanks for sharing.
    All the very best,
    Simone

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  4. ProsperoOctober 20, 2009 at 11:43 AM

    He must be a health conscious woodpecker since an apple a day ... keeps the woodpecker doctor away. A beautiful creature.

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  5. L. D. October 20, 2009 at 11:51 AM

    Fantastic shots. I don't think I have ever seen one in real life. I have heard of people seeing them in the woods in Minnesota, but I have never seen one. If woodpeckers like oranges, I could see that they would like apples.

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  6. Phoenix C.October 20, 2009 at 12:11 PM

    I've never seen one of those in real life - you are so very lucky! I hope he visits often.

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  7. LonaOctober 20, 2009 at 1:35 PM

    Great shots Catherine. They are such a pretty bird.

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  8. Joanne OlivieriOctober 20, 2009 at 1:43 PM

    To see a woodpecker this close up is awesome. What a treat! Your photos are exceptional.

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  9. donnaOctober 20, 2009 at 2:03 PM

    Catherine, how exciting for you to see this beautiful bird. And nice that your little Sweet Pea shared the experience with you. Especially luv the second photo with the apple.

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  10. AnonymousOctober 20, 2009 at 2:56 PM

    Oh this is just fantastic, Catherine! The photos are great, I have never been that close to get shots like that, what a treat for your little one too. The sighting of a lifetime. I didn't know that about the moustache either. We hear them in the trees around our house, they sound like hyenas in flight.
    Frances

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  11. AnonymousOctober 20, 2009 at 2:57 PM

    Oh this is just fantastic, Catherine! The photos are great, I have never been that close to get shots like that, what a treat for your little one too. The sighting of a lifetime. I didn't know that about the moustache either. We hear them in the trees around our house, they sound like hyenas in flight.
    Frances

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  12. Kit Aerie-elOctober 20, 2009 at 3:11 PM

    Wow, those are great shots! Amazing you could get so close!

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  13. Janet, The Queen of SeafordOctober 20, 2009 at 4:00 PM

    How great you were able to see and photograph this guy. I marvel at all the woodpeckers, but the Pileated is one that stands out as a big Wow!
    Well done.

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  14. Noelle Johnson October 20, 2009 at 4:07 PM

    Hello Catherine,

    I am so glad that he let you get so close so that you could share the photos with all of us. What a beautiful bird.

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  15. Randy EmmittOctober 20, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    Catherine,

    What a fun way to start your day with a show like this. I lived here 2 years before I saw a Pileated here. Now we have them every week or two.

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  16. RainGardenerOctober 20, 2009 at 4:33 PM

    Catherine, I think I've had this guy at my place but not good enough pictures to show.
    Glad we cancelled for Wednesday as I have ended up in the Longview Hospital since Friday night.
    I'll email ya later to let ya know what's up.
    RainGardener.

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  17. The Retired OneOctober 20, 2009 at 4:55 PM

    How AWESOME! I am thoroughly jealous! They are one of my favorite birds...aren't they beautiful???? I am so happy for you that you got to experience this wonderful encounter. They are normally very shy birds.

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  18. LeSanOctober 20, 2009 at 5:12 PM

    I love these elusive birds. We have them here on our hill but I can't seem to attract them to feed in the garden. They always stay just at the edges. I think the space may be to open for them. Maybe when the trees grow in more they will come in.
    You did a really great job getting these shots. I know how hard it is to shoot these guys. I have not been able to get such close ups as you did here. Great job! I hope he comes back to your garden. What a treat. :-)

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  19. garden girlOctober 20, 2009 at 5:37 PM

    Very cool Catherine! I never knew woodpeckers ate apples. I learn so much from blogs!

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  20. SusieOctober 20, 2009 at 5:45 PM

    They really are neat looking birds. I wish I could see one. You captured some great shots of him.

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  21. AnonymousOctober 20, 2009 at 5:55 PM

    Really pretty photos Catherine. What a treat to have this visitor and actually be able to photograph him to share with us.

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  22. lotusleafOctober 20, 2009 at 6:14 PM

    I hope he will come back and give you more photo ops. The pictures are great.

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  23. sweetbayOctober 20, 2009 at 7:24 PM

    Fabulous photos!! How cool that he came back. Pileated Woodpeckers are such amazing birds.

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  24. maria ceciliaOctober 20, 2009 at 7:37 PM

    Hello Catherine, this is a great shot, and you are a great observer!!! Love to know that close this cute bird.. thank you.
    Cariños
    María Cecilia

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  25. AnonymousOctober 20, 2009 at 9:33 PM

    fascinating, and he is big. he just commands respect doesn't he?

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  26. KathyOctober 21, 2009 at 6:34 AM

    What a great sighting! Glad you captured it and thank you so much for sharing.

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  27. Dirt PrincessOctober 21, 2009 at 6:55 AM

    Wonderful shots! They are pretty ahrd to photograph. I could really gets some amazing shots if I had a great camera with a long zoom. I need to work on that. When I am out hunting I see those most amazing things....but I don't have the camera I need to be able to zoom in close enough. I see every bird known to man while hunting, not to mention bunnies, deer, and whatever else decides to come around

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  28. AmyOctober 21, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    What great pictures! That must be one happy woodpecker.

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  29. AlisonOctober 21, 2009 at 8:32 AM

    What great pictures you took! I can never get close to anything in the garden that is capable of flying away from me - birds, butterflies, etc. I think I am just physically incapable to sneaking up on them. I am such a clumsy bear!

    What a treat you and your SweetPea had, getting to see and photograph this wonderful creature!

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  30. Bonnie StoryOctober 21, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    Wow and double-wow! I really am so impressed with the birds, their size is breathtaking. Our place was "cruised" by a pair of Pliated woodies a few months ago - maybe they were looking for apples! My nickname for the male PW, who comes around weekly - is "Ricky Ricardo" - he beats on the treetrunks around here with such verve, I think it's more for the musical effect on his mate than for a meal sometimes. Wonderful close shots you got! BRAVA!

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  31. KaarinaOctober 21, 2009 at 10:09 AM

    Such an amazing post! Those pictures are just cooler than cool. Love that woodpecker's colors!

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  32. DarlaOctober 21, 2009 at 10:26 AM

    Oh yes, he'll be back!

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  33. Rob (ourfrenchgarden)October 21, 2009 at 10:34 AM

    What a beauty. Great images Catherine.

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  34. AnonymousOctober 21, 2009 at 11:26 AM

    Great pictures! Often I hear woodpecker knocking on wood, but he is so shy and doesnt want his picture on my blog... Once I had pleasure of looking at him while he was chopping in a nut...

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  35. Corner Gardener SueOctober 21, 2009 at 7:23 PM

    What a fun experience! That's how I photo critters, too, starting farther away, and snapping as I get closer. You got some awesome photos! What a cool bird!

    Thanks for your comment on my blog. I have a recipe from a Weight Watchers cookbook for baked sweet potato fries. They are good, and I'll have to fix some of these that way.

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  36. Urban GreenOctober 21, 2009 at 10:17 PM

    Awesome! What a beautifully captured story!

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  37. Unseen India ToursOctober 21, 2009 at 11:54 PM

    Beautiful and lovely shots !! Nice post !! Thanks for sharing..

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  38. AnnaOctober 22, 2009 at 5:41 AM

    Great photos Catherine - he must have been intent on munching that apple to let you get so close up :)

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