pileated woodpecker

Leaving a swamp, I spotted this one working a log on the ground and carefully stopped right beside it, having to sneak out of my van and around the front and back ends to capture some shots. He saw me and kept on working the log.

Pileated woodpecker chipping out a branch.

A very successful nest where the pole with their original nest had been replaced during off season and they busily rebuilt the following season and raised chicks in the same location. This was the 1st location I actually heard pileateds inside a pole drilling it out while they were out of sight.

Some of my favorites shots of them over the years

When 2 pileated woodpeckers flew across the bay, they came almost over my head as they passed over land.