Pileated Woodpecker
A Sequence
Dec. 24, 2012
 



I wanted something cheerful for the Christmas season, and a sequence of a pileated woodpecker with his bright red cap seems the best subject.

Pileated woodpeckers are magnificent crow-sized birds and a real treat to see at a suet feeder. And even in the first photo you can see his red mustache, which means that the pileated is a male.

 
Pileated woodpecker about to jump
 

Have I mentioned that this is a low-light sequence? If you prefer more "normal" pileated photos, I have some here.

In the meantime, after gauging the distance between the tree trunk and the suet feeder, the pileated jumps/flaps to the suet.

 
Pileated woodpecker jumping
 

Contact!
 
Pileated woodpecker on landing
 

After several minutes of feeding, the male pileated woodpecker begins to look around, no doubt gauging the jump back to the trunk.
 
Pileated woodpecker head turn
 

And there he goes, returning to the tree trunk.
 
Pileated woodpecker jumping to trunk
 

After returning to the feed tree trunk, Mr. pileated hopped up the trunk to a suitable flight positon and then took off.

I trust he'll be back.

Photo note: I used a Pentax K20D, with the SMC-DA* 60-250 mm lens, for the photos, taken on Dec. 23, 2012.




My Pennsylvania bird list

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