Reader daveau, on a trip to Door County with his family (including les chats) managed to come across America’s largest woodpecker, the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), whose amazing behaviors I describe in WEIT. He sends us a description, a lovely photo, a video of the beast pecking away, and, of course, the obligatory shot of his shorthair Merlyn:
Who could resist naming him Woodrow? Here’s a gorgeous Pileated Woodpecker that we saw this week in Door County, Wisconsin. The male has a crest that goes all the way down to his bill, and has a splash of red on his cheeks. We were pulling into a new supper club on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula, when I saw him fly to a tree for his own dinner. A 30-inch wingspan will get your attention. We parked the car, and went back to take a look. We spent 10-15 minutes up close, but only had an iPhone to take pictures with. Wildlife photography rule number 1: always bring a camera.
I was convinced that this was either his territory, or maybe just a fantastic feeding ground. Either way, we expected that he would hang around. Anyway, we came back the next evening armed with a camera, but didn’t spot him. However, on Tuesday, we were in the area again and decided to check out the grove. The results are what you see. We spent at least a half hour watching him from around 12 feet away. The video is really two videos, one taken by the spousal unit, Debra, and the other by me, each followed by a slow motion version. In the original, which is probably higher resolution, in slow motion, I can see his tongue shooting out like an anteater’s, immediately following each peck, and slurping up whatever grubs/insects he was after. Fascinating.
I also include a picture of Door County’s most fearsome denizen: Merlyn.
Reblogged this on The Road.
Judging from the color of Merlyn’s eyes, I’d almost suggest that he eated teh woodpecker — or, at least, its head….
b&
And look Ben, he’s *outside*.
He never saw it, but he did scoot about 9 feet up a tree chasing after something. Surprised the heck out of both me and him. I got a picture of it before I went to rescue him, which he didn’t need. Brits are not climbers or jumpers, normally, but he has this thing about gravity…
Yes — I see! Outside!
Baihu’s doing well in the Big Blue Room, too. Saturday we were back at South Mountain Park. That hill where I took that earlier photo from was the first (or last, depending on your perspective) in a line that runs along the northern border of Ahwatukee. The trail continues along the ridge line, and we followed it for another four or five hilltops. The way in, he mostly rode on my shoulders. The way out, after sunset, he mostly walked. And he did so well in the car that I drove a few extra miles around the block. Soon, we’ll be doing Papago Park…then the Superstitions…and then the world….
Merlyn’s young enough that he should have no trouble with trees. Good exercise.
b&
Yeah, he’s about a pound over where we want him, so we want him to get tons of exercise before winter sets in. Keeshu needs to be free-fed, or she won’t keep her weight up, and you-know-who is a food vacuum.
For Daveau & Merlyn
My mind is still, to this day, more than a bit blown at the thought of a heavy metal flautist. And that dude can play!
b&
I’m not getting the reference, but always happy to see some Jethro Tull. I haven’t played any for Merlyn, yet. He’s not ready for art rock.
No reference. Just in payment for the beautiful bird & cat pics…
Knowing you liked a bit of prog rock Jethro
Well, I thank you, and Merlyn thanks you.
Fascinating bird, gorgeous kitteh.
If Merlyn ever goes missing you’ll want to check to see if I was in the area. 😉
I’m more worried about Jerry, who *is* in the area. Merlyn’s out in the back yard right now, if you can catch him.
Beautiful photo/video. One of my favorite birds.
Very cool, David!
Every once in a while there’ll be a year when Pileateds come to my feeders. I remember walking by the window and doing a double take the first time it happened, thinking, “wow, look at that pterodactyl!”
Merlyn’s as exquisite as ever.