LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, July 25, 2011

This Side of the Tree

I have spent a great deal of time trying to capture a photograph of the Pileated Woodpeckers feeding their young.  They always manage to go to the other side of the tree.  Finally I saw them on a foggy morning last week.  Unfortunately, I was inside so the photographs are not the best.  (Perhaps I should clean the glass in the door more often.)


The adult male has been to the suet feeder and flies back to the tree.





 He feeds the large fledgling.



 There is a short break but the adult does not need to go back to the feeder.






He feeds the young one again.


I am glad that we have so many birds to enjoy.  When you are trying to avoid the "breaking" news, bird watching takes on a whole new meaning.

18 comments:

Berts Blog said...

Those are hard critters to photograph. I think you did great.

How big are these pair?

So glad you share

Bert

Karin said...

These are certainly large birds! Great photo! 'Breaking' news is hard to stomach!

Elora said...

Nothing wrong with these beautiful photos!! Great job and lucky you that you have them! I hear them, but never see!

Elora

Betsy Banks Adams said...

That is one thing I have not seen yet, Carolyn... I have alot of Pileated Woodpeckers here ---but so far, I haven't caught Daddy feeding the babies yet... Neat pictures.
Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

Scenes like this are much better than any 'breaking news'. I think your photos are wonderful -- you did a great job getting them.

Jill said...

Just beautiful!! You are right..they are hard birds to photograph. What a treat to see.

Busy Bee Suz said...

I think your photographs came out beautifully!!!!
I prefer watching nature than the news too.
Have a great day!

Anonymous said...

Yes, a perfect balance to the "breaking news." What a good dad to that very handsome baby.

Tipper said...

Great photos! We have lots of them around our house. One time they decided to go after one of the posts on our porch-boy did that make a sound : )

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

I think those are great pictures. We have some Pileated Woodpeckers in our woods, but never have had such great views.

Ms. A said...

Good job! The dark solar screens on mine, doesn't allow for picture taking.

Vicki Lane said...

Wonderful captures! I just love these huge birds.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I really enjoyed your pictures, and have also been trying to catch the pileated woodpeckers I've been seeing here too.

I hope you're doing well, and are staying cool!!

Patricia K. Lichen said...

We've got pileated here in the Pacific Northwest, too--but I've never seen an adult feeding offspring. Nice!
(I happened on your blog by way of The New Dharma Bums.)

--Patricia Lichen www.patricaiklcihen.com

Folkways Note Book said...

Nature calms the mind from the madness of the world. Great photos -- barbara

wildcatwoods said...

Thanks for stopping by - I have been blogging "light " this summer. Been reading your posts on the pileated - we have one here but so hard to get a shot of him. Great captures! Hope you are staying cool. Have not had any energy to do much of anything this summer.

Carolina Mts

Barb said...

I love that the "youngster" is so huge! Great photos, Carolyn. The woodpeckers pecked through my friend's irrigation lines in her window boxes twice now. Our neighborhood wildlife expert feels they're drumming for dominance. She's finally resorted to artificial flowers so I guess they've won.

Janie said...

Great photos! I see a lot of woodpeckers but I find that they're tricky to capture. Getting a shot of the feeding is really cool.