Winter snack II

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Winter snack II

January 24, 2015 by Mike Powell

Yesterday, I was walking through the woods when I noticed pieces of bark falling through the air. I assumed that this activity was caused by hyperactive squirrels and was shocked when I looked up to see a Pileated Woodpecker high in the trees.

Pileated Woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) are really loud when they are foraging for food and their forceful drumming often sounds like a jackhammer. This woodpecker, however, seemed to be in stealth mode and he was removing sections of bark by putting his bill underneath the bark and twisting his head a little.

There were quite a few branches between me and the woodpecker, so it was interesting challenge trying to find a visual tunnel that would permit me to photograph him without too many obstructions. As anyone who photographs birds knows well, focusing was also an issue and I ended up with some photos of a blurry woodpecker, but beautifully in-focus branches. I was pretty happy, though, that I managed to get a a couple of relatively clear shots.

The woodpecker was undoubtedly searching for something to eat. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, a Pileated Woodpecker’s primary food is carpenter ants, supplemented by other ants, woodboring beetle larvae, termites, and other insects such as flies, spruce budworm, caterpillars, cockroaches, and grasshoppers.

I have no idea what delicacy this woodpecker was seeking, but in the second photo it looks like he might have found some tasty little snack. Bon appétit!

Posted in Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife, Winter | Tagged Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, Dryocopus pileatus, Huntley Meadows Park, Pileated Woodpecker, Tamron 150-600mm telephoto, woodpecker | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on January 24, 2015 at 10:06 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

I’m surprised he let you get close enough for a shot. I see their holes all the time but rarely see them.
on January 24, 2015 at 11:18 am | Reply waltersanford

Good catch, Mike!
on January 24, 2015 at 11:20 am | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

I have not yet encountered that variety of woodpecker. Great photo of it in action.
on January 24, 2015 at 2:41 pm | Reply Lyle Krahn

Nicely done to get through all the branches.
on January 24, 2015 at 7:21 pm | Reply Birder's Journey

Great shots and great info! I love the Pileated because they are so industrious and loud – and big!
on January 25, 2015 at 3:40 am | Reply Charlie@Seattle Trekker

Are they really able to find much this time of year? Their consumption requirements are so high it would seem really miraculous they would find enough insects to keep them going.
on January 25, 2015 at 8:31 am | Reply Sue

Well done, Mike, finding your visual tunnel!
on January 27, 2015 at 4:38 am | Reply Marie Keates

I’ve seen the holes they make but I’ve never seen a woodpecker. Well done for capturing such great shots
- on January 27, 2015 at 1:31 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Marie. We’ve got quite a few woodpeckers in the winter. It’s quite possible they are all here year-round, but the leaves on the trees obscure them from view and muffle the sound of their pecking during other seasons.