If/when (seldom) I hear rapid drumming I stop whatever I'm doing and run to the front, back, side of the house, wherever the noise seems to be coming from in the hopes (almost always futile) that I will see a woodpecker busy pecking like a little jackhammer. Woody, you set up lifelong expectations for me.
I love woodpeckers. I've only lived in the east, now in FL. I have a very large live oak tree in my yard and get woodpeckers. Makes me happy to see them.
I’m in NY, a fledgling bird watcher, and it’s mostly downy, hairy, red-bellied, and northern flickers here. I never knew there were cactus woodpeckers. How delightful.
I remember all these guys, even the alligator juniper . Grew up in south Arizona, and the saguaro cactus forests are a magical place to wander and wonder…
Nothing more evident of spring’s arrival as the Gila woodpecker’s rapid drilling of the roof vents in the morning. With two mature saguaros in my yard they are perennial residents.
I could easily waste a day looking at these photos, and it would not have been wasted at all. Thank you for such a visual delight, I was oooh-ing and aaaah-ing away to myself. I loved learning of their alternate name, and it seems to me that anyone offended by it would probably need to be quite eager to be offended in the first place.
I'm grinning and chuckling, now. Grinning at the thought of having something to offer up that finds a resonant note of delight in you, half-way around the world. And chuckling at the calm, wise words... "anyone offended by it would probably need to be quite eager to be offended in the first place." Truth.
A big, grateful hug for you, my friend. May your dreams take you to magical places and your day rival your dreams.
I too grew up in Memphis and also had a father that taught me the appreciation of birds. His favorite was the Eastern bluebird. He had little houses for them in his backyard. Not sure if you went to Ole Miss or not, but we sure loved going to those football games and wearing our huge Memphis State buttons that said, "Go to Hell Ole Miss!" BTW, your images are stunning.
No, I did not attend Ole Miss. Didn't attend Memphis State, either. Moved out west right after 8th grade.
But I did used to be one of those ballpark Coke vendor kids, walking the aisles, hawking Cokes at the football stadium in Memphis, and I always made way more on a Memphis State vs Ole Miss game than any other. I know that 'Go To Hell' cheer.
Pleasure to meet you, Mary. And thanks for the kind words.
What an absolutely stunning collection today! I have a special place in my heart for woodpeckers - it's hard not to, once you've met one! Here at home, we have the Downy, Hairy, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, and occasional Pileated. Each endearing, and no matter how frequent their visits, they always prompt excitement.
Unfortunately, my experience with the term peckerwood is limited to insult form. It was used as a broad derogative by my East-Texas family who somehow had no interest in birds, the poor souls 😥 But your fond use of the term alongside your stunning portraits goes a long way to redeeming it!
Thank you so much for the report and the stunning photographs. Really stunning. I do love birds, including the woodpecker down the street from me; he stays for a day, leaves and returns.
I can't figure out his schedule. Even so, I love the sound of Mr Woodpecker's work, rat-tat-tat-tat. Much nicer than a construction jackhammer.
Perry, you are most welcome. And thank you for adding to this potluck by bringing a dish of your own, your woodpecker down the street who keeps you guessing, ...and smiling.
What joyful storytelling, David. Woodpeckers in abundance. I am close to the Snoqualmie Valley, still a bit chilly - I expect soon the flickers or woodpeckers who belt out their courting rhythms by hammering on our rooftop pipes will appear just before dawn. So joyfully annoying!
If/when (seldom) I hear rapid drumming I stop whatever I'm doing and run to the front, back, side of the house, wherever the noise seems to be coming from in the hopes (almost always futile) that I will see a woodpecker busy pecking like a little jackhammer. Woody, you set up lifelong expectations for me.
Love watching our Downy woodpeckers fuss at our feeders looking for the peanuts
I love woodpeckers. I've only lived in the east, now in FL. I have a very large live oak tree in my yard and get woodpeckers. Makes me happy to see them.
What joy! Thank you.
I’m in NY, a fledgling bird watcher, and it’s mostly downy, hairy, red-bellied, and northern flickers here. I never knew there were cactus woodpeckers. How delightful.
Gorgeous, gorgeous photos, made more so as I listen to the raucus cries of the Gila woodpeckers who live in the Saguaro next door.
I've got a favorite photo of a pair sitting in some ocotillo
https://www.flickr.com/photos/35245797@N00/7210547676/in/album-72157629758097214/
Very cool, Bruce!
I remember all these guys, even the alligator juniper . Grew up in south Arizona, and the saguaro cactus forests are a magical place to wander and wonder…
I'm still captivated by the Alligator Junipers and was just transported by those saguaro forests... Nice to have you here, Shadowbass.
Nothing more evident of spring’s arrival as the Gila woodpecker’s rapid drilling of the roof vents in the morning. With two mature saguaros in my yard they are perennial residents.
Here it's mostly Northern Flickers, but same same on hammering the roof vents.
Soon enough they'll be busy delivering meals to the little ones and all that racket will be a distant memory. Nice to have you here, John.
I could easily waste a day looking at these photos, and it would not have been wasted at all. Thank you for such a visual delight, I was oooh-ing and aaaah-ing away to myself. I loved learning of their alternate name, and it seems to me that anyone offended by it would probably need to be quite eager to be offended in the first place.
I'm grinning and chuckling, now. Grinning at the thought of having something to offer up that finds a resonant note of delight in you, half-way around the world. And chuckling at the calm, wise words... "anyone offended by it would probably need to be quite eager to be offended in the first place." Truth.
A big, grateful hug for you, my friend. May your dreams take you to magical places and your day rival your dreams.
❤️
I too grew up in Memphis and also had a father that taught me the appreciation of birds. His favorite was the Eastern bluebird. He had little houses for them in his backyard. Not sure if you went to Ole Miss or not, but we sure loved going to those football games and wearing our huge Memphis State buttons that said, "Go to Hell Ole Miss!" BTW, your images are stunning.
You've got me chuckling, now, Mary.
No, I did not attend Ole Miss. Didn't attend Memphis State, either. Moved out west right after 8th grade.
But I did used to be one of those ballpark Coke vendor kids, walking the aisles, hawking Cokes at the football stadium in Memphis, and I always made way more on a Memphis State vs Ole Miss game than any other. I know that 'Go To Hell' cheer.
Pleasure to meet you, Mary. And thanks for the kind words.
Never bow to the offense police.
Amen!
What an absolutely stunning collection today! I have a special place in my heart for woodpeckers - it's hard not to, once you've met one! Here at home, we have the Downy, Hairy, Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, Northern Flicker, and occasional Pileated. Each endearing, and no matter how frequent their visits, they always prompt excitement.
Unfortunately, my experience with the term peckerwood is limited to insult form. It was used as a broad derogative by my East-Texas family who somehow had no interest in birds, the poor souls 😥 But your fond use of the term alongside your stunning portraits goes a long way to redeeming it!
Sydney, I’m so delighted by your note. Thank you. Yours in word rehabilitation and bird awe, Dave.
Sometimes words need rescuing, too 🤣
Thank you so much for the report and the stunning photographs. Really stunning. I do love birds, including the woodpecker down the street from me; he stays for a day, leaves and returns.
I can't figure out his schedule. Even so, I love the sound of Mr Woodpecker's work, rat-tat-tat-tat. Much nicer than a construction jackhammer.
Perry, you are most welcome. And thank you for adding to this potluck by bringing a dish of your own, your woodpecker down the street who keeps you guessing, ...and smiling.
Love every bit of this David!
Smiling, Mac. Thanks.
What joyful storytelling, David. Woodpeckers in abundance. I am close to the Snoqualmie Valley, still a bit chilly - I expect soon the flickers or woodpeckers who belt out their courting rhythms by hammering on our rooftop pipes will appear just before dawn. So joyfully annoying!
Thank you, Jann. So joyfully annoying indeed!
“a stunning Red-headed Woodpecker undulated through a woodland opening and flared to a landing on the side of a towering oak tree”
I had to go back and find this sentence because I liked it so very much. Undulating and flaring gave me such a vivid bird like image.
And my goodness I’ve never seen so many different woodpeckers and these are lovely. How nice of you to share them. 🙏
You, my dear have made my evening.