Jan. 3, 2016 - CBC and Pileated Woodpecker

On Dec. 20, I participated in the annual Grand Rapids Christmas Bird Count (CBC). It’s part of a National Audubon Society program to take a yearly census of North American birds. If you aren’t familiar with the CBC, here’s a link with more information. http://www.audubon.org/conservation/join-christmas-bird-count

A couple of days earlier, there had been a snowstorm that dropped several inches of heavy, wet snow on the area. The trees were covered with snow and it finally seemed like winter had arrived.

SnowySceneCountyRoadItasca20151220

The snow was so sticky it was even clinging to the side of this tree trunk.

SnowstucktreeItascaCounty20151220

In addition to counting the birds, I also took some photos. (No one is surprised at that, I’m sure!) I saw both a male and a female Pileated Woodpecker but I only got photos of the male. The red mustache indicates this is a male; the female has a black mustache.

WoodpeckerPileatedmalenearBackTheMoonResortItascaCounty20151220

I love having a camera that takes a burst of shots when I hold down the shutter button. It allows me to see a sequence of events that happen too quickly for the eye to follow. In the first shot at the left, the woodpecker is eying his target on this dead snag. Notice how he uses his stiff tail feathers to brace himself against the tree. In the second photo, he’s starting his attack. The third photo shows his beak penetrating the wood. The fourth shot captures the detached chip of wood in mid-air.

WoodpeckerPileatedmalechippingsequencenearBackTheMoonResortItascaCounty20151220composite

This is an unusual view of the woodpecker. From this angle, his red mustache looks like it could be a complete ring around his neck. Also, notice the strong claws on his feet that allow him to easily cling to the side of a tree.

WoodpeckerPileatedmalemugshotnearBackTheMoonResortItascaCounty20151220