A Pileated Woodpecker

Early this morning, I looked out the back window to check the woods. There was something large, black, and with white in its wings flying around. It landed on a tree in woodpecker fashion and that gave it away--a pileated woodpecker. They are rare here. I see them a few times during Fall and Winter. Anyway, I ran out on the deck no shoes, no jacket. Of course, the fog was heavy and "woody" kept bouncing from tree to tree. I was ready, he landed, and I clicked. Here he is in the middle of the fog.

As soon as I took the image, Woody took off for good. He's about 17 inches tall and when he digs into a tree he's loud and productive. The red line below his eye shows he is a male.

Pileated Woodpecker

(Originally posted on November 22, 2009)