Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Pileated and Hairy Woodpeckers of the Vermilon River. A Post to WBW.


The Vermilon River.


Back View Pileated Woodpecker
 Since yesterday was more spring like, we took off to the west side of the river for a tour along the abandoned RR track, which is an easy hike, even with snow traces left. It seemed to be woodpecker day as the following shots indicate. I've made more of the Pileated as its a much rarer sighting. They're about the size of a crow, 16-19 inches, hence one of the largest woodpeckers in NA.


Side View


Side View . Note the red bar from the beak to the Throat.


Note The Red Bar Again.





These two photos show the red bar well which means he's a male. He was much more co-operative than my last attempt as he posed well, but also announced himself with his wild laugh call and gave me an example of his loud drumming.


Click to enlarge any photos.

Profile


Female Hairy


Female Hairy.













As I said I don't mean to play down the Female Hairy because she is a beauty!!


A Post to WBW @ http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com/
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74 comments:

  1. eileeninmdApril 26, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    They are both great birds to see. I have always loved the Pileated. Great shots.

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  2. TexWisGirlApril 26, 2011 at 6:45 AM

    love those pileateds! they're such interesting looking birds and i appreciate their size too. woody woodpecker's species. :)

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  3. RebeccaApril 26, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Great images of the Pileated! I usually only see them a couple of times during the winter when the leaves are off of the trees. (I can hear them before I can see them!) They're such an interesting, almost prehistoric looking bird... The only photos I've been able to capture are distant and blurry. Congrats on the excellent shots!

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  4. holdingmomentsApril 26, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    That Pileated is a real beauty Gary. Nothing like that here.

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  5. Hilke BrederApril 26, 2011 at 9:03 AM

    Terrific shots, Gary, of the Pileated W!

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  6. SLHApril 26, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    Fantastic shots Gary - I've haven't seen a Pileated woodpecker (yet!)

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  7. AFTERMATHApril 26, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    Great captures, Gary. Or maybe it was Boomer who clicked the shutter, in which case, NICE JOB, dude! I've been looking for my Pileated pals here, but so far, no go, though they have excavated a new nest cavity. Of course, in their favorite utility pole.

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  8. SpringmanApril 26, 2011 at 10:00 AM

    Boy I'll tell ya, It sure is something when mother nature gives a photographer a little sun to work with! Your Pileated captures are gorgeously detailed.That eye is just amazing. All the best to you and Boomer.

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  9. DawnApril 26, 2011 at 10:53 AM

    Incredible! I have actually never seen this type in "real life"....mine are the "tiny version":)
    Great captures- like the profiles!

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  10. FABApril 26, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    I was amazed at the size of the Pileated when I first clapped eyes on one. Great pics Gary.

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  11. LeonoraApril 26, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    Wonderful Pileated shots!
    Leonora WBW

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  12. FotokarusellenApril 26, 2011 at 11:43 AM

    Great. Once again, a beautiful set of images.

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  13. mickApril 26, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Beautiful birds and great photos. Great shot of the river too.

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  14. MadSnapperApril 26, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    I like the woodpecker, but I LOVE Boomer... a truly beautiful boy you have there. Odd, our Pileated here in florida look just like yours way up there.

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  15. Ryan AnkenyApril 26, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    Never knew you could sex them by facial features. Thanks for the tip!

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  16. JoyfulApril 26, 2011 at 12:54 PM

    I've always been fascinated by woodpeckers. You've captured some super photos of them.

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  17. DaveApril 26, 2011 at 1:50 PM

    Woodpeckers galore Gary. Something were not blessed with too much here in the UK.

    You show them off very well again my friend, great series of images.

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  18. FjällripanApril 26, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    Nice photos of a beautyful bird!

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  19. Bill S.April 26, 2011 at 2:15 PM

    Great pictures. I have only seen one Piliated but hope to see more. We have both the Hairy and Downy in our yard.

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  20. ChrisApril 26, 2011 at 2:24 PM

    piouffffff and wowwwwwwwwwwwww..... This pileated is definitively A bird to see... You got perfect shots and beautiful ones on all its side! Well done Gary!

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  21. GuyApril 26, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    Hi Gary

    The shots of both woodpeckers are great but the pileated is just so impressive.

    Regards
    Guy

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  22. AnonymousApril 26, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    These are great photos of fabulous birds, Gary. The shot of the river is lovely, also. You and Boomer do a great job!

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  23. Sally in WAApril 26, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    These are fabulous shots, Gary. I didn't know about the red bar indicating the male of the species.

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  24. Stewart MApril 27, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    Hi Gary - I took some images of a friend for Boomer this weekend which I may post!

    Pileated Woodpeckers are a real high point bird for me - I have been able to watch them a couple of times - the best views were in the back garden of a friend of mine in Ohio - what a bird to have on your garden list!

    Cheers - Stewart M

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  25. theconstantwalkerApril 27, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    What beautiful woodpeckers Gary..great to see.

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  26. BirdingMaineApril 27, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    Sweet captures of the Pileated Woodpecker!

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  27. Buttons ThoughtsApril 27, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    Gary these shots are incredible. I love this bird the most I think. I am in Canada also and they are scattered all through our bush I love the sound of hammering in the bush. Another tree full of holes. B

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  28. LarryApril 27, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    Awesome shots of the Pileated Woodpecker Gary! One of my favorite woodpeckers. I wish we saw more of it here in California.

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  29. DinaApril 27, 2011 at 6:35 AM

    Beautiful shots of all of the woodpeckers. I can never tell the downy from the hairy. And I didn't know that about the red bar on males. Good note. It does seem weird that there's still snow out there. Hopefully you guys are starting to warm up. It's been hot here for a while. You should come down to Florida for a snow break next winter.

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  30. jeanlivingsimpleApril 27, 2011 at 7:06 AM

    Gary, Pileated Woodpeckers are so cool to see. Your photos are super!

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  31. NancyApril 27, 2011 at 9:30 AM

    Very cool bird -- looks prehistoric to me. :)

    Your photos are just fantastic. Love them all!

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  32. Martha ZApril 27, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    They were very cooperative, so far all I have seen around here are the acorn woodpeckers.

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  33. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    Thanks Eileen, they're a thrill to see.

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  34. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    I think you're right they're the model for Woody Woodpecker, Texwisgirl.

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  35. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Thanks Rebecca, they're really something!!

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  36. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    He is unique Keith and you should hear his call and his drumming.

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  37. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:27 PM

    Thanks Hilke.

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  38. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:28 PM

    I hope you get a visit SLH.

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  39. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    Boomer's paws are a little big for the shutter, although he gives orders Robin.

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  40. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:30 PM

    He's a beauty Springman.

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  41. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:32 PM

    I hope you get to see one Dawn. They're remarkable!!

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  42. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    They are big Frank, but everthing about them is impressive.

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  43. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Thanks Leonora.

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  44. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    Thanks Fotokarusellen.

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  45. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Thanks mick.

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  46. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:36 PM

    Boomer has a lot of fans Sandra.

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  47. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    You can do the same with the Northern Flicker. a Black moustache equals a male.

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  48. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Thanks Jouful.

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  49. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    Thanks Dave.

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  50. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Thanks Fjallripan.

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  51. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Thanks Bill.

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  52. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Thanks Chris. High praise from an expert like you.

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  53. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    He is so impressive isn't he Guy.

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  54. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:41 PM

    Thanks bailey.road.com.

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  55. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Thanks Sally.

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  56. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Thanks Stewart.

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  57. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Thanks Andrew!!

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  58. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    Thanks BirdingMaine.

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  59. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    You sure know them Buttons.

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  60. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    They are something to see and hear, Larry.

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  61. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    I don't think Boom is a warm weather dog, Dina. And he hates bugs.

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  62. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    Thanks Jean.

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  63. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    Thanks Nancy.

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  64. UnknownApril 27, 2011 at 12:49 PM

    But this was the second time Martha.

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  65. SondraApril 27, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    I think these are the best Pileated photos Ive seen...you did a great job--can see the beautiful face and eye of the bird--

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  66. Sallie (FullTime-Life)April 27, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    LOvely photo essay Gary. I can almost hear 'Woody" laughing maniacally! They really are something aren't they?

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  67. Pat UlrichApril 27, 2011 at 7:34 PM

    Great shots of the pileated! They are such awesome birds!

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  68. UnknownApril 28, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    Thanks Sondra for the kind words.

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  69. UnknownApril 28, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    You're right Sallie, I think Woody Woodpecker is modeled on them.

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  70. UnknownApril 28, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    Thanks Pat for the kind words.

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  71. tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.comApril 28, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    These woodpeckers live in our woods here,never can get a picture like you have though.I believe I just need to take a chair & sit in the woods awhile to capture them.Thanks for sharing,great photos!phyllis

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  72. UnknownApril 28, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Find out where they're hanging out, usually around wetlands with a lot of birch and aspen that provide lots of insects. Hope that helps phylliso.

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  73. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    I love this woodpecker! Great shots.

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  74. UnknownApril 29, 2011 at 11:29 AM

    Thanks JM!!

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