Shadows, Sun, Loretta

Woodie 2009

After Woodina left, Woodie went in....


...and a few minutes later came back out.

WOODLETS, rev 2009!

Woodina leaves the tree

We had noticed the parent golden-fronted woodpeckers being very busy around the tree in the last few weeks and were wondering if there were even eggs yet; then yesterday (May 2nd) we heard the woodlets. It's like static coming out of the tree. Last year, we first heard them on May 1st. Maybe, oh maybe we'll finally get to see them fledge....

All About Woodie

A candid post-grooming shot: the final shake


A woodlet head can be seen at the lower left of the trunk


Despite the grayness, you can see the little woodpecker's striped back in this photo!


More food. The dad often lands in this spot and places something (a nut? acorn?) on the tree, then pounds it open to get food for the babes (and himself). For some reason, the dad's been doing all of the feeding this morning.

And So It Begins Again

Or, Woodie and Woodina, 2008 rev





It's established that Woodie is a year-long resident of the nest hole in the tree; he comes in the evenings, hops in, and spends the night. In the past few weeks, he's spent more time near and on the tree. Thursday afternoon he came to the tree mid-day and after a little hopping around, got right in and stayed. Much later, he left, only to reappear after a short time in the staging tree with a friend! Oft have I remarked upon and lamented his solitariness and hoped that he would find a nesting partner; it appears he finally has. And yes, so it begins again....




In he goes! All I can say is, I'm not missing the fledging of the fledglings a second time, no matter how long I have to stare at that damn tree.