Some birds are more ungainly than beautiful, like this pileated woodpecker who is certainly striking (literally and metaphorically). It was demolishing my bird pie the other day, when normally it will be destroying the trunks of half dead trees, looking for insects and other delicious edibles. Below you see one doing just that. Their beaks may be designed to be bashed into trees, but the tip of the beak on this bird looks as if it is rather the worse for wear compared to the one below. I wonder what caused the damage.
And here you can see the results of steady assault by these voracious birds.
Amazing photos Ellie of an amazing bird. I’m assuming that’s our old Maple in the back yard that he’s taking in. Hope to see him someday when I’m down.
Thanks Linda. Yes, I think it is that tree. I took that one a while ago and don’t remember for sure but it looks like it. He’ll be around again I’m sure and maybe you’ll see him.
I have many of those pileated trees around my neighbourhood. On my walks on the trails I can hear them hard at work. Sometimes I even can find them pecking out the sleeping insects. Good capture on both these birds, Ellie. I too wonder what caused that bird’s beak to break. Luckily for him, he’s found a source of food where he doesn’t have to tap, tap, tap.
Thanks so much Janet. We really do have so many wonderful and fascinating creatures to keep us interested. I do hope he gets his food elsewhere too, as I fear I couldn’t afford to keep him in bird pies with his appetite! 😀
I love the photo of your cats on the stairs. How did you get them to pose perfectly? The shadow of the bannister makes the photo complete! There is a better word to describe this but I can’t think of it. I’m sure you can
It’s a favourite of mine, too, Kathy! Cats have an unerring sense of elegance, I’m sure you know that. The trick was in being there with my camera to catch that moment. Thanks so much. We miss these two so much but are now ready to take on new little friends. Stay tuned…