photo: Ken Sproule
On a late February day, we were enjoying the beautiful trail that follows Highland Creek.
photo: Ken Sproule
The group was alerted to the presence of a pileated woodpecker by the loud, rising and falling call. We also heard a continuous almost barking sound which I had never heard before.
photo: Ken Sproule
Happily Ken Sproule was able to get these wonderful, close-up photos.
photo: Ken Sproule
Small woodlots are not large enough for these big birds: they require at least 100 acres of forest.
photo: Ken Sproule
Our bird is a male as you see by the red “mustache” marks.
photo: Ken Sproule
They make large holes in a very short time in their search for insect larvae and other food.
photo: Ken Sproule
photo: Ken Sproule
The word “pileated” comes from “pileus” which was a pointed or close-fitting cap worn by ancient Romans. The word can be pronounced as either “pylius” or “pillius.”
photo; Ken Sproule
Miles Hearn
Miles, you simply insist (italics) on grossing me out. Their tongues do– (italics) what? Go– (italics) where? Around, to…?
Well, that is certainly (gag) fascinating (italics). Seriously! How could you leave It (the tongue)–out?
Beautiful pictures of another place I love (and miss), just before spring awakening. Thanks, Miles–and thank you too, Ken–for all the wonderful/beautiful pictures!
P.S. (I sure wish I knew how to make italics happen, here. All capitals seemed like too much. But yes–italics (in italics).
I just realized it prints out so large (unlike when I write it) that Capitals might have been OK.