It took me awhile to spot this Red-bellied Woodpecker after listening to the rat-a-tat for several minutes.
He was working very high up in a dead pine tree on what I presume will be a nesting cavity.
All in, the pecking continued.
He took a few pauses and you can see there are several other holes.
I tried for a different angle, and this isn’t a great image of the bird but it shows off more of the well-used tree.
Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Charleston, SC
March 11, 2023
There were several species of woodpeckers all around me, one of the few birds I can readily identify by sound. But spotting one was another matter.
Finally, a peek-a-boo look. Surely he will climb around to my side of this tree.
No, a speedy exit, lower right.
It’s a little early for a Red-headed Woodpecker to be scouting out nesting sites, but given the competition it doesn’t hurt to look around.
Audubon Center & Sanctuary at Francis Beidler Forest, SC
January 8, 2023
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
May 9, 2022
A Red-bellied Woodpecker was very busy investigating a small hole in a tree limb.
From another angle the bird is nearly camouflaged against the rough bark.
He finally put his head up long enough for me to get a better view, but never came fully out of the shade.
A Downy Woodpecker chose a wide open spot on a vine wrapped tree for a moment of rest.
I haven’t seen many Downy Woodpeckers lately; 2018 was the last time I had one on this blog.
This one posed for a few images before getting to work looking for food.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
February 15, 2022
There were two Pileated Woodpeckers in a Live Oak tree above my head, picking through the Spanish Moss and Resurrection Fern. The vegetation looks lovely in the tree, but sure limits photography of birds.
I never saw what they were eating but it appeared to be berries or nuts, and no pecking was going on.
It is likely this was an adult teaching a juvenile as a few times the younger looking one was just watching then got fed.
One came out into the open just before they flew off.
July 23, 2021
A snag at the edge of a swamp was the perfect spot for this Red-headed Woodpecker to survey his territory.
I heard this Red-bellied Woodpecker way before I finally spotted him. I waited and got this reward.
Swiss Cheese, anyone?
For probably not the first time this Pileated Woodpecker did the rounds of this well pecked tree.
Checking out the existing holes…
…giving it a few new knocks…
…and having a general look around.
June 9, 2021
