I was at the oars today, writing. I have a good view of the feeders. As I was working, I caught out of the corner of my eye a shape and set of colors that grabbed my attention and … slowly… I went for the camera.
Only once did I see him here, last year, I think. First, time this year.
He is coming in and picking up nuts and then flying away in the same direction each time. Hopefully he is stashing or nesting nearby.
Behold: Melanerpes erythrocephalus.
The wary Red-headed Woodpecker.
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on “Our ordinary world, the one in which we work and fall in love and watch TV—it’s thinner than paper, and the demons pour through it in hordes.”: “The Church’s office language is Latin. Demons are legalistic. Latin has specific juridical language. Besides… the Church’s language is Latin.…”
on 13 May 609: Dedication of the Roman Pantheon, “Santa Maria ad martyres”. An account of Boniface IV’s exorcism of the temple and the screaming of the demons.: “Amazing. This is the sort of thing that was done when we weren’t a “loser” church– when we actually believed…”
on ASK FATHER: Is Mass valid if it is offered in a desecrated place? Wherein @fatherz rants.: “When I saw that video and blatantly defiant disrespect for Our Lord, my eyes and ears felt like they were…”
on ASK FATHER: Is Mass valid if it is offered in a desecrated place? Wherein @fatherz rants.: “I was once told by the late Fr. John O’Connor that the thing to do if you see dancing at…”
on Daily Rome Shot 156: “Santa Caterina di Siena, Santa Maria sopra Minerva. She was a Third Order Dominican.”
on 13 May 609: Dedication of the Roman Pantheon, “Santa Maria ad martyres”. An account of Boniface IV’s exorcism of the temple and the screaming of the demons.: “Amen, Fr. Z., a hearty Amen, regarding the evil Pachamama and what took place over the very bones of St.…”
on “Our ordinary world, the one in which we work and fall in love and watch TV—it’s thinner than paper, and the demons pour through it in hordes.”: “Fr. Z, can you explain for us why, specifically, Latin is more powerful in dealing with demons than other languages?…” on Daily Rome Shot 154: “I’ll put you out of your misery. It is an inscription in the courtyard of the barracks of the Swiss…”
on ASK FATHER: Is Mass valid if it is offered in a desecrated place? Wherein @fatherz rants.: “I looked into this song, and it was written by a 24 year old in Zulu but has become a…”
on Daily Rome Shot 154: “rhurd: Looks good to this intermediate-level student. When I read “Hispanus” I was hoping next for a reference to Maximus…”
on 13 May 609: Dedication of the Roman Pantheon, “Santa Maria ad martyres”. An account of Boniface IV’s exorcism of the temple and the screaming of the demons.: “Father Z, this was an excellent post! Having been in the Pantheon in the early 2000s, I had no idea…” on Daily Rome Shot 153: “St. John XXIII on the right, on the left St. John Paul II who survived an assassination attempt by the…”
on ASK FATHER: Is Mass valid if it is offered in a desecrated place? Wherein @fatherz rants.: “The contents of the video are yet another example of the feminization of the Church. Hard to imagine new vocations…”
on REMINDER: Ascension THURSDAY – usually Holy Day of Obligation: “The last I heard the Ordinariate in North America has rescinded the dispensation except for the elderly and those with…”
on ASK FATHER: Is Mass valid if it is offered in a desecrated place? Wherein @fatherz rants.: “Any manifestations in the Pauline Chapel?”
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since Sat., 25 Nov. 2006:
Beautiful.
Absolutely beautiful bird.
Here are some of the “interesting facts” about this species from iBird Explorer Pro:
The Red-headed Woodpecker forages for food rather than excavate holes to find insects.
It is the only woodpecker that covers its cache of food with bark or wood. Grasshoppers are stored alive, wedged so tightly in a crevice escape is impossible.
A group of woodpeckers has many collective nouns, including a “descent”, “drumming”, and “gatling” of woodpeckers.
Growing up in central Wis, I’d see these all the time. But for some reason they disappeared. Same with the Bob White. And I haven’t heard a Whip-poor-will in a while either. These were dramatic birds and I miss them. I’m glad you have one around. I feared extinction.
Beautiful. I’m so glad you got to see him. What a thrill. Thank you for these happy sights.
I read the post and was thinking Lindsay Lohan came parading through the farm but she is now bleach blonde. Could have pummeled her with blessed salt but anyhow its nice to see this critter. I’ve only seen one once or twice and they are quite big compared to the downys.
teaguytom, you said, “I read the post and was thinking Lindsay Lohan came parading through the farm but she is now bleach blonde. Could have pummeled her with blessed salt but anyhow its nice to see this critter” – it’s been 5 minutes and I still can’t stop laughing!
joanofarcfran: I haven’t heard a whiporwill in several years myself, but I did hear a mockingbird doing a beautiful imitation as part of his reportoire. I wonder where he learned it?
Beautiful bird-I love the red feathers on its head!