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/

74 comments:

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

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

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

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  5. Terrific shots, Gary, of the Pileated W!

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

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

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  11. Wonderful Pileated shots!
    Leonora WBW

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  12. Great. Once again, a beautiful set of images.

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

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

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

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  17. 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. 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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  19. 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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  20. Hi Gary

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

    Regards
    Guy

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

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  23. 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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  24. What beautiful woodpeckers Gary..great to see.

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  25. Sweet captures of the Pileated Woodpecker!

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  26. 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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  27. 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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  28. 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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  29. Gary, Pileated Woodpeckers are so cool to see. Your photos are super!

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

    Your photos are just fantastic. Love them all!

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

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  32. Thanks Eileen, they're a thrill to see.

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

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  34. Thanks Rebecca, they're really something!!

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

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

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

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

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  39. Boomer has a lot of fans Sandra.

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

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  41. Thanks Chris. High praise from an expert like you.

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  42. He is so impressive isn't he Guy.

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  43. They are something to see and hear, Larry.

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

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  45. But this was the second time Martha.

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

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

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  49. Thanks Sondra for the kind words.

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

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  51. Thanks Pat for the kind words.

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  52. 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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  53. 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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  54. I love this woodpecker! Great shots.

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