Hammering On a Pecan

Chicago Jesus (shredded chi): "the pilealted woodpecker is what got me into birding when I saw my first one years ago."

Two mornings ago, I watched as a pileated was hammering on a pecan trunk, about ten feet of the ground. Squirrel ran down the trunk and perked around at the woodpecker. Woody flared his wings and Rocky quickly ran back. Beautiful sight, that big bird all puffed up!

Pileateds used to be really rare around here. Now they're regulars. Last year I thought I saw a bunch of young'n's like fresh from the nest.