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
This Yellow-bellied Sapsucker surprised me as I was walking along under some Live Oak trees.
There he was with a sun beam right on him, not the usual bird tucked behind a dark branch.
Then he was gone.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
November 5, 2023
In between watching the action of the Red-headed Woodpeckers and Blue Jays in yesterday’s post I captured some images of just the woodpecker.
These dead pine trees made nice perches, even if the birds were very high up.
They were zipping around so much I have no idea how many there were.
This one looked like he might have been foraging for a meal, but he didn’t do any serious pecking.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 19, 2023
There was a lot of bird chase action in the upper reaches of some pine trees I passed.
I thought the Blue Jay was the aggressor, he was certainly making the most noise.
Multiple individuals of both species were involved. Some of the Red-headed woodpeckers were adults, with a few juveniles as seen above mixed in.
I watched them go back and forth for about 20 minutes and never figured out what the ruckus was about.
Both were showing off their flying skills, and maybe that was the point.
Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 19, 2023
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.
