As I sat here, last week, trying to write this post, I had a frustrating experience.
I was taunted…no other word works…by about 6 Flickers outside in various parts of my area. They were tapping, knocking, screeching, and imitating Woodpeckers, Quail, and that one sound they do that could be mistaken for some kind of jungle primate sound.
Taunting me. Teasing me. Harassing me, all while I combed my photo files for the hundreds of pictures I have snapped over the years of these guys!
Apparently, in the transfer to my new computer, I lost the saved bird files…a lot of them…And all I had left were poor quality rejects.
But, I can be rebellious and obstinate too, so here they are!!
Unfortunately, my all-time favorite was lost. I watched this pair of Pileated Woodpeckers dance around and around and up and down this telephone pole for almost 30 minutes one day. It was delightful, and sometimes hysterical, to witness their maneuvers, Some kind of mating ritual, I suppose? The original Pole Dancers!
These still shots are all that remains.
So in case no one else already included this, here are great YouTube examples of the songs and calls of each.
Bird Weekly – Photo Challenge – Woodpeckers | Sapsuckers | Flickers
I am so sorry you lost all your photos! That is devastating for someone like us! I’m happy that you had some photos left. I couldn’t find my really good Pileated Woodpecker photos. I’ll find them when I don’t need them. Your Pileated video is great! Shows just how loud they really are. The Flicker video from YouTube…here is what I got from that…Knock knock “Hello, anyone home”…Knock Knock (louder)….”I said is anyone home? You coming to the door, or what?…I know you’re in there!”…”I’m not gonna stop knocking, so you might was well come out!”…”Fine, I’m leaving, but you haven’t heard the last of me!” LOL!
How fascinating! I’ve never seen these kind of birds before. 🙂
I forget where you live. We have tons in the Northwest!
We’re in west TX. I did read that there are some in the far east and far north of the state, but very rare if at all in our area.
Got it.
How are things there these days???
So upsetting to lose all those photos! That’s why I have a hard time trusting digital; but otherwise I’d fill up so many boxes there’d be no room for anything else. Your “rejects” are better than any I’ve ever attempted. Birds are too fast for me 🙂
Wow thanks!
Someone reminded me I had posted a couple before of these particular birds. Now I’m searching wordpress for those posts! 😋
Great idea – wouldn’t it be a wonderful surprise to find some in your media file on WP (might be quicker than looking through every post – I’ve done that sometimes too)? Good luck!
great idea and for some reason, I have never been able to get to older stuff in my media file. The “help” folks just tell me I have the wrong “browser”???
I’m going to keep looking though.
Those photos are awesome. I have yet to photograph a Pileated Woodpecker. You give me hope.
I bet you’ll find one! They are BIG!
Yes. I’ve seen one. Seems they are elusive.