The top of this dying pine tree behind our house snapped off during a storm a couple of years ago. I often can see bird movement around the jagged top and now that some nearby trees have dropped their leaves several holes are visible on the sides.

I heard this Pileated Woodpecker working away and was fortunate the sun was highlighting his activity.

Even with me watching he kept at it.

When he went around the other side of the tree I got a pretty good view of his handiwork.

SC, Backyard
November 17, 2025
OM System OM 1 Mark II
OM System 100-400mm lens
These are really impressive !!!
Great shot! The pileated woodpeckers stay in our Canadian woodlands year round — they are quite shy and not easy to photograph. 🙌🏼😌🥰
Thanks, glad you liked it! We seem to be in this one’s travel rotation. We’ll see, actually mostly hear, him several days in a row, then not again for several days.
You caught him in wonderful light, very nice!
Thank you, Belinda! The scene called to me with those bright leaves.