Woody Woodpecker

Sorry I have not posted for a few days but have been busy setting up a web site for Pam's business (more to come on that later).

I found the Pileated Woodpecker's house last week and he has been busy drilling out the hole getting ready to bring in his girlfriend and start a family.

I plan on staying away from the site for a few weeks and then will stake it out to see if I can photo his  mate and maybe some baby "Woodies" later.

All the snow and ice is gone and the swamp lives again.  Pretty sloppy, but the water is clear and cold. 

Ross

 

Birds and Sunshine

Almost all of the snow is gone out in the woods and has been replaced by slop and mud.  Lots of cold puddles for Bogey to flop through and get as dirty as he can.

64 degrees today.  Even the big ice pile around the mail box is almost gone.

I went back down on Old Butler Hill Road where I saw the Pileated Woodpecker on Monday.  He actually has 2 separate trees where he has drilled a hole for his hide out/nest.   Today, I caught him in the hole that is right over the road.  I had seen him in there yesterday, but was not fast enough to get his photo.  Today, I drove up and parked under the hole and waited about 1 minute.  He stuck his head out and I was able to get his picture without even getting out of the car.  Only 1 shot though.  After the shutter fired, he flew off making a hell of a racket.   That's OK.  I know where he lives now........

Ross

P.S.   When you roll the pointer over the photo, you will see the label pop up at the bottom left of your screen.  The photo label is at the end.

Spring-Like Day

Happy Valentine's Day to all.  I did not find too many red birds today, but, I did find some nice blue ones.  Another great day temperature-wise.  50 degrees and lots of sunshine.

Drove down by the Meramec and found the Pileated Woodpecker coming out of his nest.  You can tell it is a male because the red comes all the way down his head to his bill.

I love it when the weather gets a little warmer.  Lots more activity in the woods and the sunshine makes the colors much more vivid.

Actually had an Opossum in the back yard last night about 10:30pm.  He got within 10 feet of the bedroom window.  I had the window open for Bogey to bark at him, but not open far enough so Bogey would crash through the screen.  Damn thing did not even flinch.  I yelled at him and he slowly turned around and walked back to the fence.

Ross