Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Visit from a Pileated Woodpecker


We've had lots of Pileated Woodpeckers in and around our yard since we bought our home here in Fairfield Glade in 2002. BUT--until a few days ago, we had not seen any of them at our feeders. I knew that the suet was being eaten since it was disappearing. BUT--I had only seen the Downy Woodpeckers and our Carolina wrens at the suet feeder.
However, this past Saturday, while George and I were eating a late brunch/breakfast, there he was---a Pileated Woodpecker at the suet feeder. George jumped up, got his camera and managed to get some pictures for me to share.
When I bought my suet feeder, I bought a small one (not knowing which birds would come to that feeder). NOW--that I've had the BIG Pileated at that feeder, it's probably time to purchase the larger suet feeder---just for him. Isn't he beautiful???? Hope you enjoy our pictures, one above and three below!!!






READY





SET





GO.............Bam Bam Bam!!!!


Hugs to All,

47 comments:

Kim said...

What a way to start my day seeing my beloved pileated!!! You are so lucky!! Great picturs.

I Am Woody said...

Beautiful!!

Cedar ... said...

Good shots George! Wha a treat to have that fellow at your feeder. I have one here in the woods that i see glimpses of occasionally, but I've never caught it at my feeder. Way to go!

Jayne said...

I just love these guys and so wish I could see them more often! I'd be thrilled to see one at my feeder!

Anonymous said...

What wonderful photos. Such a thrill to see him at the feeder. When I look at the beauty and intricacy of birds, I am reminded of what an artist our Heavenly Father is!

Michele said...

That's incredible pictures!!!
Hug♥

Shelley said...

I'm so envious! I love these birds! So glad they are visiting you!! How is your snow looking? You & George build a snowman yet??
:-)

CountryDreaming said...

It's a real treat to see such an elusive and beautiful woodpecker in these gorgeous green tropical surroundings. Awesome!

Jessica said...

What I wouldn't give to have one of those birds visit my yard!

Neal said...

We see one around here once in a while but not very often. They are beautiful.

jlshall said...

What a beautiful bird! We never get woodpeckers here in the city, but we used to see a lot of them when we lived in Louisiana. Wonderful photos!

Peggy said...

Beautiful! They are my favorite bird that visit our property. Not often but when they do I just stop and watch.

Connie T. said...

I would have been thrilled to see that too. Nice capture.

SmilingSally said...

Stunning photos.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Good work, George! Thanks for sharing, Betsy. I'd be excited,too, if I saw one of these 'up close.' I occasionally hear woodpeckers in the neighborhood, but haven't laid eyes on one for a while.

Stacey Olson said...

I would love to get the chance to see, let alone photograph one of these fantastic birds.. thanks for sharing..

amelia said...

We have had them but ntver at a feeder!! How do you keep your suet from melting in the summer? I always take ours down when it starts to drip but I'd love to be able to leave some out.

Susie said...

I think those are the neatest looking birds. I have never seen one. I wonder if they live down here in my area? Oh well, thanks for sharing your pics.

Busy Bee Suz said...

What great pictures....and I think he is SAYING to you: "get a bigger feeder, please."
It is cold here today...47 this morning...we have a frost warning tonight and tomorrow night...I will have to bring in my orchids and cover my petunias and geraniums. And put on the HEATER. ;)
stay warm!!!

NCmountainwoman said...

Great shots. You know how I love the Pileateds. Yes, you need a bigger feeder. I recommend one with a "tail baffle" since they like having a place to balance the tail.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Betsy: What neat photos of Woody, wonder if the frozen trees encouraged him to visit the suet block.

dot said...

Yes, he is beautiful and you got some really good shots of him!

Anonymous said...

I often see the Pileateds in my yard or in the woods around me. But they are shy and it's not easy to get photos. Your pictures are wonderful!

Mary said...

I think they are the most marvelous birds! YOu got some good shots! I have not seen any this winter. Last year after they came to my small suet feeder I put a big one on a tree further away just for them. They never came to it! That is the feeder that "Star" now considers his :-)

Anonymous said...

He is beautiful. There is a pair that live live in our woods. I love the sound they make, too.

Diane said...

Great shots, Betsy-I'm sure you're going to have to get a bigger one. I'm sure he could demolish 1 cube in nothing flat.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

This is a spectacular bird.We have them around here as well but so far not at our suet.
Blessings,Ruth

Tina said...

Betsy,
What a nice addition to your brunch! Wow, George took some nice shots of this guy! How lucky!! I would love to see just one of these birds..I have heard them but never have seen one YET!!
Great post!

Anonymous said...

Now that is outstanding...

Cicero Sings said...

Pileaateds are magnificent! We have them here too.

Small City Scenes said...

Great shot. Although we live up in the woods I seldom see these beauties. I do see them fly overhead at times. Swoosh-swoosh.

I have always like fiber goats but we always had horses and chicken for eggs although we have raised a few calves, a pig and some sheep. I would like to try my hand at spinning so I don't really need to own any goats but thought it might be fun. MB

Rose said...

I chased one around our neighborhood the other day but never got a good shot. I have only seen him a very few times here. Where my husband hunts, there are plenty of them though.

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

Boy, I'd love to see one of those guys in our yard sometime. What a cool bird!

Janie said...

Those are great photos, catching your woodpecker in the act. I admire your timing!

Unknown said...

They are way cool, aren't they. Great photos George!! Look at those FEET!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

Good grief, Betsy.
Hurry, hurry, before that one gets away!!!!

Unknown said...

Maybe that's Georges woodpecker?! Great piccies he's stunning. BTW I just answered your dessert question!

Linda said...

Nice pictures! We have a pair of pileated woodpeckers - they like the small suet feeder just fine, even though it's on a spinner that's supposed to discourage squirrels. The woodpecker spins around and keeps on pecking.

Dorothy said...

Great shots! I never get to see these woodpeckers! Maybe I don't have the right food out for them ☺

Unknown said...

We've brought in all our potted flowers for the cold, and I noticed a few neighborhoods on the way home from work covered their flower beds. Those pileateds are my favorite: I love to squint my eyes and pretend they are ivory bills!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Kallen--Yes, they are special birds for sure!!!!

Woody--Thanks!!! I love those Pileated Woodpeckers.

Cedar--George has the good camera..Mine won't take good pictures through the window and screen. His will-- thank goodness!!!

Jayne--In the spring and summer, their 'call' is so loud--you can hear them all over the area. I hope he comes back to my feeder!!

Mildred--Amen to that!!!! Just think how different all of us humans are... AND--then think about all of the gorgeous birds around us. WOW!

Michele--Thanks!!! How are you today?

Shelley-- It snowed off and on all night last night and all day today... BUT--no more accumulation other than maybe an inch or less. It is just too cold--and that dry snow just blows around!!! It's not even pretty like the snow we had a couple of days ago... Oh Well!! Where's spring?

Country Dreaming--That's our beautiful Rhododendron in the background. Our birds love that Rhody!!! The feeders are ALL on or around our deck. The Rhody is their protection. I have 3 hanging feeders, a plate feeder, a big house feeder, a seed bell, a mesh bag (thistle), and a suet feeder. The birds here eat well!!!

Jessica-- Well, I'll be happy to share!!!!! ha

Neal---Thanks!!! They are the largest of our 'pretty' birds.. I'm so glad he came to the feeder.

Joy--I'm sure there are many woodpeckers in Louisiana too. BUT--we have plenty in our woods also. They probably don't ever live in a city --since they 'need' those trees!!!!

Peggy-- In the spring and summer, you can hear them before you see them. They do have a LOUD call. Yes, they are beautiful.

Connie--thanks!!! We were in the right place at the right time. I'm enjoying your Ocoee pictures.

Sally--Thanks!

Pat--Yes, George did well. He has the good camera which can take good pictures through the window and screen! Well--since we live in the woods, we have plenty of woodpeckers around here.

Stacey-- Well we got lucky!!! We were in the right place at the right time to get those pictures. Thanks!

Amelia-- I never dreamed they would come to our suet feeder. I was so excited!!! Hope they come back!

Susie--Yes, they are gorgeous birds. I'll bet you have them. In the Spring and Summer, you can hear them ---since their 'call' is very LOUD.

Hi Suz---Yes, that little suet feeder is definitely too small for him. I need to make a trip to Lowe's and buy a big one JUST for him!!!! OH---I pray that you all don't have a hard freeze down there. Bring in your 'pretties' and cover what you can. Hopefully, it won't get as cold as they say it will.

Carolyn-- Yes, I do need a bigger feeder. I haven't seen one with a tail baffle.. Maybe I need to search online. Thanks!!!

Tom-- He came to the feeder before it got so cold here---so I don't know. BUT--I hope he comes back to the suet feeder...

Dot--Thanks... We were lucky to get such good pictures.

Carla-- We were at the right place at the right time to see him--and capture the pictures. I hope he comes back to the feeder. I will buy a bigger suet feeder.

Mary-Yes, they are marvelous birds. Hmmmm----I was thinking about getting a bigger feeder just for him... Maybe he likes the smaller one...????? Who knows! ha

Pigeon--- Yes, their 'call' is LOUD isn't it??? During the spring and summer, you can hear them hollering before seeing them.

Diane--Yes, I do need a bigger feeder just for him, although Mary said that she got a bigger one--and he didn't go to it... Who knows!!! ha

Barb--Yes, we've had a couple of VERY cold days. I'm tired of it now--and want some SPRING!!!! Yes, we were lucky to see the Pileated at the feeder.

Ruth-- We got so excited just seeing him at the suet feeder. AMAZING!!!

Tina-- Yes, it was. George's camera takes good pictures through the window and screen --whereas my camera captures the screen and window instead of the bird. SO---I'm glad we were both here and could get his picture.

Michelle---Thanks!!!! We were so happy to get his picture at the feeder. WOW!!

Cicero--Glad you have them also. In the Spring and Summer, you can hear them before seeing them. They are LOUD.

MB---I'm surprised that you don't see them more often. We have TONS of woodpeckers all year long.. The Pileated is one of our fav's. That is so interesting about the goats and your interest in spinning. WOW----keep me posted! I'm impressed.

Rose-- They have very LOUD calls---so we can usually hear them before seeing them (especially in spring and summer). They are fairly quiet this time of year.

Dave--Yes, the Pileated are beautiful birds. Hope you do see one sometime. How's the family????

Janie--Yes, we were lucky to be at the right place at the right time. I hope he comes back!!!!!

Darla-- Yes, they are cool!!!! George's camera takes good pictures through the window and screen and my little camera does not. I'm glad he was close by when we saw that Pileated.

Nina--I know... I was so excited. Get your camera, Honey.. Hurry Up!!!!! ha

Sarah-- Well, George's camera takes good pictures through the window and screen and mine does not. I'm glad he was nearby to capture the Pileated. Thanks for sharing that dessert. It sounds incredible.

Linda--Glad that they like the small suet feeder.. I looked today for a bigger one and didn't find one yet. I just hope he returns to the feeder!!!!

Dorothy---Woodpeckers like suet... I bought mine at Lowe's. They have the feeders and the suet. Some people make their own suet--but I haven't done that yet.

Bob--Glad you put your potted flowers up--but I hope the temps don't go down as low as predicted. Have you ever seen an Ivory Bill??? There's a place in Arkansas that claims to be the 'home' of the Ivory Billed Woodpecker.. I'd love to see one of them...

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Great photos! You remind me so much of my mom and dad! They take such pride in their birds and have so many feeders. I'll have to do a post on that one day.

Have a great Thursday, Betsy!

Hugs,
TAmmy

Connie said...

Wonderful photos of the woodpecker, Betsy! George did a good job capturing him. Have a great day! :D

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Tammy, You are so lucky to have your parents next door. I love it that your Dad brings the mail in everyday --just to see you all. SO neat!!!!! YES, share some of his bird pictures and thoughts someday.

Thanks Daisy-- George has the good camera --so I always get him to get the pictures taken through the window and screen. Thanks!!!

abb said...

What a great group of photos of a usually elusive bird. Glad you shared!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

TSannie---Thanks for visiting my blog. Come back anytime. I enjoyed looking at yours!!!! The Pileated is a gorgeous bird for sure!!!

Hugs,
Betsy

Leedra said...

Such a wonderful treat.

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