This is an impressive sized hole Mr. Woodpecker has created for himself. I often wonder if woodpeckers get headaches. Probably not, since these birds have adapted over the years to drilling down into trees.
Agreed Perry. I've thought the same and wonder too do they get aches and pains from working trees like this. Perhaps like us, those aches and pains increase with age.
The size and orientation of the woodpecker brain helps protecting it from damage during hammering. I've co-authored a study about this and wrote about it in a blog post here, in case you're interested:
Thanks James and much appreciated. I hope those types of photos are interesting - it helps give some perspective on what birders go through in their searches!
to my mind, you hit upon one of my favorite parts of being out there .. contemplation on how the past and future are together right in that present moment.
Thanks Doug. This is what I truly enjoy about Nature as well. Especially experiencing the change of seasons and the seemingly small moments like observing this Pileated.
How I love those birds and this line "What can be done but to peck away at the moments of today."
Because of what you taught me, I now know the Pileated who visits several times each day is a female. During the warmer seasons, two will often come. I presume it's a male because they've brought a young one to feed.
Excellent post, Neil. The sijo is beautiful and contemplative. The photo series is really outstanding, punctuated so well with your written observations. It's amazing to spot the Pileated in the woods, in the snow, from a distance, creating habitat in that life giving tree.:)
Oh, wow, Neil ... I love this so much! First of all, the RED of that head. And the size of that hole he's excavating. Amazing photos. Secondly, jeez, in the videos that snow is really coming down hard! Kudos to you for getting outside in such weather. And lastly, that line "to peck away at the moments of today" is pure genius. I think I'm going to adopt it as my new mantra. Thank you!
Thanks Jeanne and very much appreciated! I was really fortunate in that day as it was quiet except for this Pileated. He seemed unfazed by the weather.
Thanks Nathaniel. They're definitely a treat to see. This one seemed so unfazed by the weather as well. I may have said this many times, but I'm always surprised by their size.
Birds are such hard workers- Pileated Woodpeckers have such beautiful, powerful colors to their feathers. And, it is fascinating how their skulls protect their brains from all the "jack hammering".
Agreed, Robin. The Pileated Woodpeckers that I have been fortunate to see over the years seem so unfazed by things around them and focused on digging out food from wood. They're such a treat to see.
This is an impressive sized hole Mr. Woodpecker has created for himself. I often wonder if woodpeckers get headaches. Probably not, since these birds have adapted over the years to drilling down into trees.
Agreed Perry. I've thought the same and wonder too do they get aches and pains from working trees like this. Perhaps like us, those aches and pains increase with age.
There's something about how their brains are engineered so they can "slosh" around freely, unlike ours. I remember reading that somewhere.
The size and orientation of the woodpecker brain helps protecting it from damage during hammering. I've co-authored a study about this and wrote about it in a blog post here, in case you're interested:
http://www.mielke-bio.info/maja/blog/02_why_woodpeckers_dont_need_a_helmet/
Thanks for sharing this, Maja - very much appreciated.
Well, thank you so much, Maja. I will read it.
Lovely videos, it's great to see the woodpecker in action!
Thank you Juliet and this fellow seemed so unbothered by the weather!
“This tree has provided life for Pileated Woodpeckers and wildlife for generations.” This is such a wonderful thought. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Aria and very much appreciated!
Great writing, videos, and photos. I like the one where you have to find the woodpecker. A realistic look at what it’s like to bird
Thanks James and much appreciated. I hope those types of photos are interesting - it helps give some perspective on what birders go through in their searches!
to my mind, you hit upon one of my favorite parts of being out there .. contemplation on how the past and future are together right in that present moment.
Thanks Doug. This is what I truly enjoy about Nature as well. Especially experiencing the change of seasons and the seemingly small moments like observing this Pileated.
How I love those birds and this line "What can be done but to peck away at the moments of today."
Because of what you taught me, I now know the Pileated who visits several times each day is a female. During the warmer seasons, two will often come. I presume it's a male because they've brought a young one to feed.
Thanks JT Abba and that's great about the identification. Nice to be able to see a family of them as well!
Breathtaking pictures! The contrast of the red makes them so magical! 👍❤
My daughter loves woodpeckers, from the pictures in her book, but has never seen one. I hope we do someday soon. 🙏😊
Thank Grace and very much appreciated. They're really fascinating birds and I hope you get to see one soon!
Excellent post, Neil. The sijo is beautiful and contemplative. The photo series is really outstanding, punctuated so well with your written observations. It's amazing to spot the Pileated in the woods, in the snow, from a distance, creating habitat in that life giving tree.:)
Thanks Heidi and very much appreciated. I was thinking about this tree and the woodpecker on my hike as things were very quiet that day.
I love these guys! Stunning photos.
They're such a sight to see, Sarah and thanks!
What a beauty. I love those birds. And I like that you don't let weather keep you indoors!
Thanks Thomas and much appreciated! The weather that day made things so quiet except for this Pileated. They seemed unbothered by the weather.
Oh, wow, Neil ... I love this so much! First of all, the RED of that head. And the size of that hole he's excavating. Amazing photos. Secondly, jeez, in the videos that snow is really coming down hard! Kudos to you for getting outside in such weather. And lastly, that line "to peck away at the moments of today" is pure genius. I think I'm going to adopt it as my new mantra. Thank you!
P.S. And as I wrote that comment, I could hear our resident pileated calling and drilling somewhere in the woods outside my window.
A most excellent coincidence!
Thanks Jeanne and very much appreciated! I was really fortunate in that day as it was quiet except for this Pileated. He seemed unfazed by the weather.
That is a beautiful hole and beaut
Beautiful creater...sharp photographer....
Thanks Marc and much appreciated!
Amazing shots, Neil!
Thanks James and much appreciated!
For me, seeing and/or hearing a Pileated always feels like an event. Every single time. Beautiful ode to an incredible bird.
Thanks Nathaniel. They're definitely a treat to see. This one seemed so unfazed by the weather as well. I may have said this many times, but I'm always surprised by their size.
Birds are such hard workers- Pileated Woodpeckers have such beautiful, powerful colors to their feathers. And, it is fascinating how their skulls protect their brains from all the "jack hammering".
Agreed, Robin. The Pileated Woodpeckers that I have been fortunate to see over the years seem so unfazed by things around them and focused on digging out food from wood. They're such a treat to see.
Focused is a good observation, Neil, and, I love hearing them at work, too. I used to own a design/ build business- and they are Nature’s carpenters…
Beautiful footage. How wonderful to see one of these stunning birds up close like that. Thank you for sharing this with us🤎
Thank you, Melissa and very much appreciated. Seeing this bird was a nice experience and helped make February a much nicer month.