I’ve seen and heard Pileated Woodpeckers near this spot at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens many times. Last week I got a photo op of not just one,
but two, at the side of the exit road as I was headed to my car.
The youngster ducked into hiding while the adult worked his way around this oft trimmed tree.
Finally they came back together, with junior getting a taste of whatever the parent was finding.
June 15, 2023
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.
