This little guy (okay, not so little–he must’ve been been a foot and a half tall) stopped by our backyard a couple of weeks ago.
A few days earlier I remarked to my wife that we had seen redheaded woodpeckers and downy woodpeckers but that I really wanted to see a pileated woodpecker.
When one showed up, we couldn’t believe our luck! Of course, it helps that we have a couple of large, standing, dead (or at least dying) trees in our backyard which have been on my to-do list to remove since I returned from Afghanistan. And he leaves the most interesting holes in the trees–almost rectangular in shape, about 2×3 inches, and really deep into the tree — 5-6 inches in some spots!
So now I’m loathe to take the trees down and remove the reason our visitor stops by–Perhaps, when spring arrives–if there’s anything of the trees left.
NestOfSquirrels 
I’m always amazed whenever I see one. Think twice about removing the trees if you have wood siding, but they do say a partial reason for the decline of the woodpeckers in many areas is the removal of dead trees…
Thanks! We don’t have wood siding, and we’re only removing the ones that might damage the house if they should fall.
I wish I could see one of these! We only get the littler guys–at most, a flicker. U r very lucky!!!
I felt lucky when he showed up! We have a dead tree (that I keep putting off taking down) that he really did a number on. The holes he drilled were about 2.5 inches square and several inches deep…quite an impressive beast!
Does he take direction, I wonder? 😉
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beautiful!!!! I saw one-ONE time + have not seen one since 2009-DARN-stunning when I did see one:-)
I was hoping to visited by another this year, but so far no luck. The big fella who dropped by last year stayed about a week before moving on. Beautiful to look at, but LOUD! 😉
Last year, during a camping trip, I saw my first, and hitherto only one of these. Couldn’t believe how big it was, and cursed the fact that my camera was out of reach. So, I just sat still and took it all in until he left. No proof, but beautiful memory, nonetheless! 🙂
I, too was surprised how big this fella was. It’s quite something to see one in “real life.” Glad you had the chance to see one! Cheers, Ben
Glad you think to leave the trees for the woodpeckers. If it’s not ‘dangerous’ for passersby, leave it where it stands! Many birds will reward you for your choice. The pileated is a regular in our woods by the creek, thanks to many free standing dead trees. Great shot of him there!
Thanks! We’ll leave them up (except for the one so close to the house) for as long as we can. We definitely have a lot of bird life in our backyard and I’d miss them terribly if they packed up and moved on 🙂