The light outside has been dim lately, the sky and land painted in various shades of gray.
Bright spots of red add a finishing touch to the scene, where dogwood berries,
still clinging to the trees, serve as beacons to the wildlife.
A pileated woodpecker came back yesterday morning for a berry breakfast.
They are imposing birds, about the size of a crow,
but with more color, and none of the irritating habits.
We see them here occasionally.
Their loud, distinctive call and undulating flight
capture our attention as they pass by,
but this was a rare opportunity to watch one up close.
The regal appearance this species makes is, we think,
very fitting for the largest known surviving member of the woodpecker family.
The larger Ivory-billed Woodpecker is probably extinct,
although if any of you have seen one lately, we hope you'll post it on your blog.
: )
Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday
One note:
Word verification keeps appearing on my comment page, even though I have it turned off.
If you'd like to comment, I believe you can ignore it and post one anyway.
