I love woodpeckers!
Woodpeckers are my least favorite bird at the moment. For months a woodpecker has been pecking on the outside of our house. Most of the house is stucco, but there are two areas of wood, including a 35 year-old wooden garage door, which now has several nicks and one hole clean through the door. The evil pecker comes around now and then, and pecks his heart out. If I’m home, I pound on the wall to scare him off, but he keeps coming back.
My research says that he pecks to attract a mate, but the fiberglass insulation scattered on the ground suggests that he was trying to build a nest inside my exterior wall. I covered up that particular hole with a metal can lid and duck tape, but I need a more general solution. I can’t shoot him in my urban neighborhood. I’m ready to replace the old garage door with metal, and maybe have stucco put on the small area of exterior wall.
I love this photo.
While stationed at Fort Leonardwood, I heard the most amazing bird “call” that was unfamiliar. Researched online (the internet was new) and many bird books. Narrowed my research to a pileated woodpecker. My research deduced I would have to stalk this bird for a good view.
At the time, we had 5 acres. I meticulously hung suet several acres out, then would move it closer to my backyard.
Finally!
One morning I awoke with a beautiful, large, “shy” pileated woodpecker feeding off my deck!
I cherish those pictures!