Yowzer!

My day got off to a fast start this morning with a half dozen gorgeous male Baltimore Orioles in the yard.  They were mostly eating the oranges I'd put out with a few bits of suet now and again.  I spent an hour or so in the hide snapping shots, then inside for some tea.  At which point I glanced out the window...and saw a Pileated Woodpecker on my suet feeder!  Now, I should say at this point that I NEVER get these huge woodpeckers at my feeders - they are frequently seen and heard in our woods but never, ever at our feeders.  

Quick as a flash, I was back in the hide, fingers crossed.  And while I was peeking out the right side of the hide, I heard a the sound of wings...very big wings.  A glance to the left confirmed that she'd come back for more suet.  I carefully shifted positions and snapped a series of shots.  Usually I don't like to post images with birds on feeders, but I am making an exception in this case.  If I am lucky enough to get a feederless shot later, I'll use it for my visual record, but for now I am super happy with this.  For those unfamiliar, this is N. America's largest woodpecker, a little larger than a common Crow.  And she's my 21st species to be blipped this year for my visual yard bird record.

I hope that the orioles stay around a few days so I can post one tomorrow.  But in the meantime, have a look in Extra for a beautiful adult male posing with an orange - and yes, those are the actual colors.  

I used the wrong link yesterday for the rare Prothonotary Warbler, so if you want to see it, Click HERE.  It's worth a look.

I downloaded the updated pathology report for my appointment tomorrow with the breast surgeon.  I've highlighted some things on it that I want to ask about, including the size which seems quite a bit larger than we initially thought.  I'm getting quite an education about breast cancer.

Stay safe, be kind and today I'm recommending pure, unadulterated dark chocolate.

xo
Debbi