A Downy Woodpecker was busy gathering a meal on a dead branch.
He scraped some kind of insects off the back side, then peaked down into the end.
He sat a moment while looking for his next stop.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
April 14, 2026
Driving across the dike into Donnelley WMA I heard several Red-headed Woodpeckers and finally spotted one.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 5, 2025
As usual with a Pileated Woodpecker I heard him before I spotted him.
And also fitting the norm, he was pretty high above me.
He did take a few turns around this branch before moving on, giving me a decent opportunity for photographs.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 7, 2025
The wooded area around the Cypress Wetlands wading bird rookery is rife with other birds, including several species of Woodpecker. I heard this Downy Woodpecker doing his thing, then saw him working this branch, round and round.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
May 7, 2025
A Red-bellied Woodpecker clung to the bottom of a branch as he poked around, and took a break for a profile shot.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 20, 2024
I have often seen a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker drill holes in a tree to release sap, or at least heard one doing it. They tend to be methodical, going round and round a tree limb. This was the first time I had watched one revisiting his drilled holes to feast on the flowing sap. A small joy of being in winter with no leaves on the trees to block such a view.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
December 12, 2024
A Downy Woodpecker provided me with several photographic opportunities on a late November walk.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 16, 2023
A Downy Woodpecker was very intent on eating these dried berries. The spot had just been vacated by a Ruby-crowned Kinglet and this diminutive woodpecker hardly moved as he took a turn from what looked like an awkward spot.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 16, 2023
Tilting his head waaaaay back, this Pileated Woodpecker was having a good look at the sky before checking out his level.
Look up…
Look left…
…and right…
He flew to a nearby tree, spottable mostly because of his red-top.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 16, 2023
I could hear this Red-bellied Woodpecker working in a dense tree above the walking path and finally spotted him as he changed position.
I couldn’t see what he was getting but he was quite intent…
twisting around for a better reach.
After a bit he flew to a nearby tree…
…then even further away.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 27, 2023
