LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Almost Ready to Feed Herself

We have one remaining Pileated Woodpecker fledgling still being fed by the parents. The parents are taking longer and longer to give her something to eat, a sure sign that they are hoping she will feed herself soon.


OK, I think I can do it. I'm going to try to make it to the suet.



All right. Here I go. I'm going on the count of three. One...two


Three! Well, at least I made it to the baffle if not exactly to the suet. I think I'll just watch from here.



Mom! You'd better hurry. I'm hungry and I don't think I can hold on here much longer.




Wait a minute! Where's breakfast?




Thanks, Mom. I'll try again tomorrow. Honest I will.
We have so enjoyed the various fledglings this summer. We have some baby titmice right now, likely the last brood of summer. The end of summer always makes us a bit nostalgic. We really look forward to the fall migration, but we already think about the missing hummingbirds and our other summer visitors. Thank goodness we have so many birds that will winter here and provide us with plenty of entertainment.

24 comments:

Kerri Farley said...

Oh what a great post! Hope you are feeling well!!

George said...

What a great series of pictures. We still see a fledgling cardinal being fed by his father every once in a while. We're hoping summer stays around for a while so we can continue to allthe birds.

Carol Murdock said...

Carolyn those are great pictures!
All our fledlings are gone and we can't tell them from the parents now!

Sam said...

What cool birds and such nice pictures captured of them!

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

What a fun family to have at your feeder! We have never seen one of these cool birds in our yard, but if any pileated woodpeckers are reading this, you are welcome to come for free morning food at the Heiser's house! Like your captions, Carolyn! :-)

robin andrea said...

Those babies do try to stretch out the moment, don't they? It's amazing how forgiving the parents can be, showing up again and again, when they know it's time for that baby to be out on its own. Pretty soon...

There is something about the approaching fall that always fills me with a nostalgia for the present moment of a summer day: the birds and the warmth, the dragonflies and butterflies, and all the flowers and scents in the air. I wish I could breathe deeply enough of it, to recall it as richly in winter.

Valerie Cummings said...

Oh what a great story!! I hope she makes it soon! Hugs Joey and Kealani

JeanMac said...

This post touched me so much today.

Mary Lee said...

Such fun to watch your woodpeckers. You did terrific job of bringing them to us. Remember Woody Woodpecker? Even though he had a red head, the pileated 'peckers remind me of him.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carolyn, I love your Pileated. We have them around here --but I haven't seen any lately. We do have lots of little ones with their parents these days. Today the baby bluebirds were on the deck--about 2-3 of them.. Daddy was trying to teach them to go to the suet feeder---but they weren't ready for that. SO CUTE!!!

Our Baby Cardinals have a tiny 'tinker bell' sound when Dad is on the deck with them---feeding them. Love it!!!

Love your Pileated pictures.
Hugs,
Betsy

Kim said...

OMG Carolyn, what fantastic shots!! I am so glad I came into your blog to see these. I miss the Pileateds that were in the town next to mine so this will have to do for now. You are so lucky getting those juvies at your feeder! Such gorgeous birds!

Dog_geek said...

I *never* get tired of your Pileated Woodpecker pictures. I wonder where Hannah is now?

troutbirder said...

What fun to see these babies learn the ropes. Another teaching moment!
Great pictures btw.

Dawn Fine said...

Hee hee...I get a kick out of the fledglings..there they are right at the feeder..food looking them in the face..but they wait for mom and dad to get it for them and put it in their mouth..LOL
hummm sounds like some kids I know.

Ashley said...

Lovely series! The babies are so cute! I hope she can make it soon!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

I love the posting on the pileated woodpecker fledging. The photos are great. It's sad when summer ends, and the fledgings fly away, but fall has it's beauty, too. This is a great blog!

Tina said...

Oh you are so lucky to see this family affair. How nice you caught these photos of that little guy trying to get to the suet..I'm sure he will make it tomorrow..sure doesn't take them long.
I was told, tho, that pileated WP help to feed their young for several months..compared to others birds..have you heard this?

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is just too cute. I could also be entertained for hours watching the birds...what better way to spend some good time with nature. :)

Leedra said...

First the Red-Bellied, now the Pileated. I am SO jealous!

Leedra’s Photos For Fun


Leedra’s Greeting Cards


Photography By Leedra

Coffee with Cathy said...

As always, I love getting a close-up view of nature through your eyes. Thank you for these wonderful photos!

Wendy said...

Hope you are feeling well...
I also hope y'all have a good time in the Outer Banks; I'd love to go there myself someday. And the fall should be awesome with less crowds.

I have a hard time getting birds to pose for me; these are great pictures!

Chad said...

That is so neat to see so many Pileated Woodpeckers together. I have never seen a family of them. I was lucky the other day to see a family of Flickers... neat to see them all together.

Jayne said...

How wonderful that you have had the joy of seeing the young ones Carolyn!

Twisted Fencepost said...

Cute post, Carolyn.
And great pictures. I rarely see a woodpecker. Usually only hear them.