Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Wild Bird Wednesday

A couple of weeks ago I posted photos of a Pileated Woodpecker walking along the timber surrounding my flower bed. It was only the second time I had seen one although I have heard them in the nearby woods.The shots weren't good but served to document that it had been here. You can click here to see those photos. One morning last week I awoke to a loud pecking noise that seemed awfully close. I got out of bed and started toward my sunroom. As I came into the dining room and looked out the bay window I could see this lovely lady sitting on the deck railing near where the suet feeder hung. I hurried to grab my camera fearing she would fly if she sensed any movement in the window. I'm pretty sure I was holding my breath and thinking 'oh please, oh please!' According to my camera info she stayed one minute and fifty-six seconds.
The bay window of my dining room is only about a foot from the deck railing. These aren't cropped. She was really this close. I have to say my cat Heidi has a bed in this window. On this day she never moved while I clicked the photos. Of course this was the biggest bird Heidi has ever seen and it might have been a little intimidating for her.
Of course, blogger willing, you can even click on these for yet a larger view. So click and enjoy!
She looked right.
She looked left.
She looked up.
She looked at the window.
She grabbed a quick bite of suet before she was gone.
Linking to Ruby Tuesday and Wild Bird Wednesday.

46 comments:

A wondering star said...

Great shots of your beautiful birds!

Lucky you!

Andee said...

My my goodness what amazing pictures. I so glad she didn't fly away!

TexWisGirl said...

i am so STINKING jealous! these are FABULOUS!!! SOOOO wonderful, carletta!

Linda said...

Truly amazing photos! I would be so thrilled to have one so close! Great job on getting the photos without scaring her away!

Unknown said...

Really pretty lady, Carletta. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Kranky Granny said...

I've had moments just like what you described. It's so exciting when shots like this are the result. Certainly, worth getting out of bed early for.

theconstantwalker said...

A wonderful little bird to see... your images of it are..stunning!

mick said...

Great photos. How lovely that the bird stayed for you to take photos.

fjällripan said...

Great photos of the sweet woodpecker!!

CameraCruise said...

Amazing shots of the beautiful woodpecker.
Oh, I wish I could see them here.
Mette

kayerj said...

I'm always amazed at your bird pictures.

JunieRose2005 said...

Oh, Carletta!! What a thrill to see this bird so close-up! You got great shots!

I've seen them a few times at our place, and have got pictures a couple times, too, but never this close.

Thanks!!!

Chubskulit Rose said...

We have a regular visitor here in our yard too, unfortunately I don't have a good lens for my camera lol. Beautiful shots. I love the new look of your blog and the header!

Mimi said...

Your vigilance and good ear paid off, Carletta. She has an incredible beak, hasn't she?
Must have been very exciting! I suppose that's part of the beauty of nature, we can't take it for granted.
Beautiful photos, the clarity is fantastic.

Red said...

Pileated Wood peckers are a very majestic bird. Excellent photos.

Colin said...

Hi Carletta
Wow! That is a great "close up and personal" lot of photos.
Lucky you to have such pretty birds at your "suet" feeders.
Cheers
Colin: (Brisbane, Australia)
Anzac Day here. Public holiday to remember the fallen in the wars.
Dawn Services had more people than last year at the sevices and only Melbourne turned on nasty weather.

Anonymous said...

fantastic photos

Lisa Gordon said...

She is just beautiful Carletta, and what wonderful images you made!

Carole M. said...

how captivating and what a poser! Fabulous captures

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

I can't believe how beautifully you caught that bird...down to the expression in her eye! Amazing. We are wakened each morning by a woodpecker (I think a pileated, but not sure) but s/he perches exactly on the top of a telephone pole next doorI've tried and tried to focus on it, but .... so close and yet so far. I'll picture your beautiful woody when mine wakes me up tap tapping tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I am so happy for you! This is such an amazing bird to watch in action. I totally understand your excitement over this beautiful bird. I discovered a couple in my wooded area Monday and got so excited I yelled, scaring my hubby who thought something had happened to me and came running! I was able to get a video, but no photos, because it was getting too dark. Your lady was giving you a good photo session, well done!

NatureStop said...

Carletta,You were really lucky!!!Amazing shots of this beautiful woodpecker.

Have a great day!!
Shantana

Stewart M said...

Great bird - I still find it hard to believe that people get these at their bird feeders.

Splendid shots.

Stewart M - Australia

Ronnie said...

So lovely Bird this Woodpecker and well done with the Camera !

S said...

What a beautiful woodpecker in various moods ! ! I know how difficult it is to shoot birds as they fly away as soon as they see the photographer or hear the click of the camera.

NatureFootstep said...

gorgeous shots of this beautiful pecker. I´m glad she was careful. :)

Judy Biggerstaff said...

What a great shot of the woodpecker. I have never been on Wild Bird Wednesday. Will give it a try sometime.

Pat said...

Wow! A Pileated Woodpecker! I've seen one only briefly - never got a shot. These are wonderful captures, Carletta!

George said...

You got some great photo of the Pileated. I'm glad she posed so well for you. I can understand how Heidi may have felt -- when we saw our first Pileated around the house we were both amazed at how large it was.

HansHB said...

Lovely photos of this great bird!
Happy WBW to you!

Dianne said...

Beautiful captures Carletta of a bird not seen in my area .... Thank you for your visit and I look forward to many more pics from your corner of th world.

Rose said...

Wonderful shots, Carletta. Where Roger used to hunt there was a lot of them...

Tammy said...

How exciting!! gorgeous.

A Colorful World said...

Oh, Carletta, I am so jealous! She is just so beautiful! Never mind the Ivory-Billed (which so sadly we will never see!!!!) but to just get to see a pileated would be an amazing thrill for me! She gave you some wonderful poses! I hope you see her again and again!

I would like to get on Dave's blog and check out his Ivory Bill post, but I don't know the name of the blog.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful shots of the bird with red crown.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Aren't they just wonderful birds, Carletta? I love our Pileated Woodpeckers --and I have many similar photos...
Hugs,
Betsy

EG CameraGirl said...

WOW! I dream of getting such a great shot of a pileated woodpecker!

threesidesofcrazy said...

Awesome captures!!! love his colors

Kathy said...

Wow! You got some great shots of this beauty!

Jenn Jilks said...

These are amazing! Well done!
Greetings!

Connie Smiley said...

What a spectacular minute and 56 seconds that was! So glad you were ready and shared these fantastic shots.

Anonymous said...

Wow, what superb shots!

Kathy said...

Fabulous photos!

eileeninmd said...

Awesome visitor and photo of the Pileated. They are another one of my favorite birds.

Amila Kanchana said...

What a beauty, what great pictures!

~✽Mumsy✽~ said...

Wow..clear and beautiful shots! And my goodness, she is a beautiful!