now, here’s a big pecker (a woodpecker, you filthy people)

Posted on January 8, 2009 by wendy| 13 Comments


Mmmm, dis tree yummy, dat suet yucky. [Or, insert your own pretend bird voice.]

Our friend, the pileated woodpecker, nibbled on the suet this afternoon for a second before pounding on our tree. No good deed, I guess….

The silver lining here: note the chain holding the suet onto the tree. That is the hub’s creation, a new, raccoon-proof suet hanger. That oughta stop those bandits.

Although, from the looks of things, the raccoons may have been our biggest customers.

Most exciting for this bird-geek is this little guy, the Townsend’s warbler:

Isn’t he a looker?


Some of the regulars looked suspiciously on him, but I like him.

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13 Responses to now, here’s a big pecker (a woodpecker, you filthy people)

  1. maria | January 8, 2009 at 6:00 pm |

    i was hoping you would get a good picture of the warbler. i’m so envious of your great camera.

  2. Brooke | January 8, 2009 at 6:31 pm |

    What!? Is that the best you can do with your new lens?? I was really hoping for an up-close of the warbler’s nostrils. :-)

    Brookes last blog post..A Question of Meals

  3. Reese | January 8, 2009 at 7:52 pm |

    Beautiful!

    Reeses last blog post..Job Security

  4. wendy | January 8, 2009 at 8:51 pm |

    trust me, you don’t want to see up the warbler’s nostrils (and try saying that 3 times fast).

  5. Mrs. G. | January 9, 2009 at 8:19 am |

    Great shots! Yes, that little TW is a looker. I have never seen such a bright little bird in the NW.

    And I do love woodpeckers. We get them now and again pecking on our chimney. It sounds like a jackhammer inside the house.

    Mrs. G.s last blog post..Barb…The Conclusion

  6. Kathleen | January 9, 2009 at 10:38 am |

    Beautiful! Thanks for sharing…don’t think we have these in San Francisco.

  7. Brian Zimmer | January 9, 2009 at 12:44 pm |

    Awesome shots — is the warbler new to the yard? What attracted it?

    Brian Zimmers last blog post..Shocking, bellflower, love.

  8. Ashley | January 9, 2009 at 1:07 pm |

    At least that pecker’s not pecking on your house, Wendy. One of my neighbors just got a stuffed owl; hopefully it’ll scare the woodpeckers clear out of the neighborhood. Hmmm, more for you?

  9. wendy | January 9, 2009 at 3:51 pm |

    Brian, I have NO idea why this guy showed up. As far as I know, we’ve never had them at our house, but one of my friends on the central part of the island has seen them briefly in winter.

  10. wendy | January 9, 2009 at 3:54 pm |

    Ashley, we have lots of dead and half-dead trees on our lot, so I hope they stick with those (for I know, there’s a giant hole in the house right now!). I have heard a flicker hammering the metal (chimney? gutters?) during mating season, though. At Islandwood, our neighbors, they have trees with humongous holes from these peckers.

  11. citizen of the world | January 9, 2009 at 7:38 pm |

    I love spotting pileated woodpeckers. So cool.

  12. Jenn | January 10, 2009 at 10:36 am |

    What gorgeous birds! We basically have your boring brown wrens and a few very bright cardinals this time of year.

    I’d bet if I remembered to fill the feeders we’d have more. Like blue jays and finches and stuff.

    Jenns last blog post..Half a pound of flesh

  13. FishyGirl | January 12, 2009 at 2:33 pm |

    We get the woodpeckers here, but I’ve never seen one of those warblers, just gorgeous! Great pictures. The birds and the wildlife are my favorite parts of living in the woods.

    FishyGirls last blog post..Holding On to a Bit of Summer