[bcbirdclub] Close Encounter with Pileated
- From: "Roger Mayhorn" <rmayhorn@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "BCBC Listserve" <bcbirdclub@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 6 May 2013 18:17:57 -0400
This afternoon after the rain stopped and the sun came out I went out looking
for birds. I heard a Pileated Woodpecker up on the knoll, then later I heard
thumping coming from the logs where the old barn used to be. I realized that
the Pileated was searching for grubs in the logs. I decided to sneak as close
as I could in the hope of getting some photos, though the chances of getting
close to one of these fellows is slim. After moving to where the sound was
coming from I finally located the bird working on a log down behind some
blackberry canes. Because it was down in the vegetation I was able to inch
closer and closer, becoming very still every time the bird looked up. Finally I
was within about 15 feet and the Pileated had no idea I was there. It continued
to work on the rotting wood. The red stripe under his bill let me know that it
was a male.
I started taking pictures, and eventually the Pileated heard the clicking of
the camera. He raised his head to look at me through the foliage.
I thought he would fly then, but he just moved up higher on the logs and stared
at me.
I was too close to get the whole bird in the frame with my telephoto lens.
After raising his crest in alarm and staring at me for a few more seconds he
hopped up to the top log and sat there for a minute before taking off into the
woods.
Roger Mayhorn
Compton Mt
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