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Pileated Woodpecker
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Feb 5, 2017 00:56:42   #
Swamp-Cork Loc: Lanexa, Virginia
 
Unfortunately we had to have a very old white oak removed in April of 2014 as it was dying, although we had tried to save it. Our tree person estimated it to be 175 years old, but for sure it probably was at least more than a century old, and always took for granted it would outlast us. Anyway it was tremendous and leaning out across the water and some of its great limbs extended over our pier. The only way it could be removed and keep it out of the water and also not damage the pier was with the assistance of a crane, and to clear a path for it, two smaller water oaks had to be removed. While the stump of the white oak remains intact, the water oaks have already deteriorated to the point that the woodpecker was feeding on the insects and grubs in the wood. I had been noticing the stumps for quite some time and couldn't imagine what was tearing them apart so rapidly, but thought it must be something powerful like the raccoons, but my wife Ellen recently saw this one feeding on the above stump. It was so close to our home that there was no way I could go outside without it seeing me, so barely opened a back door in the garage just enough to get the lens through and facing in its direction knowing that it would take flight if it saw any movement, and I was only a few feet from it! Clicked off some shots as fast as possible with the above results!


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Feb 5, 2017 00:58:34   #
tainkc Loc: Kansas City
 
Oh, Wow! I saw one once but I did not have a camera at the time.

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Feb 5, 2017 01:18:32   #
Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida
 
These are terrific! You're right about how shy they are. This was a wonderful opportunity and you used it well!

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Feb 5, 2017 02:47:08   #
Ed Greding Loc: Texas
 
Those are really nice photos. I've always wanted to get a shot of a Plileated Woodpecker, but have so far seen only one, at a roadside park. My camera was not ready. Drat! Well, I'm more of a "frog-man" anyway. - Ed

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Feb 5, 2017 03:33:09   #
GEEJAY Loc: witness protection
 

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Feb 5, 2017 04:05:31   #
DOOK Loc: Maclean, Australia
 
A beautiful set, Corky. Well shot, too.

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Feb 5, 2017 04:22:10   #
angler Loc: StHelens England
 
Superb shots Corky.

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Feb 5, 2017 04:39:38   #
danniepolley
 
Very nice, one of my favorite woodpeckers.

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Feb 5, 2017 05:18:45   #
Leicaflex Loc: Cymru
 
All very good captures.

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Feb 5, 2017 05:25:25   #
J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio
 
Swamp-Cork wrote:
Unfortunately we had to have a very old white oak removed in April of 2014 as it was dying, although we had tried to save it. Our tree person estimated it to be 175 years old, but for sure it probably was at least more than a century old, and always took for granted it would outlast us. Anyway it was tremendous and leaning out across the water and some of its great limbs extended over our pier. The only way it could be removed and keep it out of the water and also not damage the pier was with the assistance of a crane, and to clear a path for it, two smaller water oaks had to be removed. While the stump of the white oak remains intact, the water oaks have already deteriorated to the point that the woodpecker was feeding on the insects and grubs in the wood. I had been noticing the stumps for quite some time and couldn't imagine what was tearing them apart so rapidly, but thought it must be something powerful like the raccoons, but my wife Ellen recently saw this one feeding on the above stump. It was so close to our home that there was no way I could go outside without it seeing me, so barely opened a back door in the garage just enough to get the lens through and facing in its direction knowing that it would take flight if it saw any movement, and I was only a few feet from it! Clicked off some shots as fast as possible with the above results!
Unfortunately we had to have a very old white oak ... (show quote)


Beautiful shots Corky.

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Feb 5, 2017 05:52:10   #
lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA
 

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Feb 5, 2017 05:57:37   #
cdunn Loc: Brevard, NC
 
Kudos for deftly handling such a rare opportunity, and capturing great images. Even at a distance, this woodpecker will usually either move to the other side of the tree or fly off if it realizes it is being watched.

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Feb 5, 2017 06:13:33   #
Snap Shot Loc: California
 
Corky, a beautiful set of images of a very destructive bird! Have spent a few thousand dollars repairing the damages!

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Feb 5, 2017 07:31:27   #
WayneT Loc: Paris, TN
 
Great set, they are so hard to capture.

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Feb 5, 2017 08:17:49   #
rlaugh Loc: Michigan & Florida
 
Fine shots!!

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