Many of you will know the Pileated Woodpecker is one of my favorite Birds. In Forest without feeders to lure them they are often shy and stick to the highest Trees. I often spot them after hearing their wonderful chicken cackle call or very loud pecking on Trees. Today it was pecking that caught my attention as I was heading home. I looked up in a nearby Tree and saw a flash of red. My first thought was that it was a Red-Bellied Woodpecker, I was happy to discover a Juvenile Pileated Woodpecker busy looking for a meal. After a few minutes it flies over to a very large Oak Tree. I hiked up the hill to discover two male Pileated Woodpecker high above me. Two! It was wonderful to watch them jostling for control over Tree territory and pecking rights.
Later one flew off and I decided I had better video the one still in the Tree. Soon the other brother spreads his wings and I watched him fly to another Tree. As I turn my head I see the Woodpeckers are side by side each on their own Tree. As other hikers approach they fly farther away. I track their path and am split as to which one to follow as they each head in opposite directions. I catch up to the one closest and take a couple of photographs, but soon it is airborne again.
I discover the two brothers have again chosen to be on the same Tree. Both are now frantically pecking using beaks and tongues to grab their targeted meal. As I get closer I can see they are unaware of my presence, this allows my to take many photographs and video their activities. This was only one of the blessings from Nature today and I will share the rest of my hike tomorrow.
Much Love,
Lee
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
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- Hot Springs National Park Pileated Woodpecker
Hike Our Planet - @HikeOurPlanet 
This is the kind of thing we see, and immediately one knows if nature appeals to them or not. If it is art in the highest form (or not). I love surprises, and not in a million years did I expect this one; one closeup maybe but two is an incredible find. I know they are abundant here (the pileated woodpecker) but they usually are way up in the upper trees; not at eye level and just a few feet away. The Gods of Nature photography most definitely smiled upon you today; I am so excited that you were able to capture these amazing creatures on cam. The video is WELL-worth watching (below the pics) and on full-screen (whomever reads this). Just to watch even on video brings out the kid in anyone. Two thumbs up on these. Love ur DH Rick x0xx0x0
Reblogged this on Beyond #MeatlessMonday and commented:
Earthling Siblings play and fight… they are NOT Food!