This morning I awoke to the hairy woodpecker making quite a racket outside my bedroom window. He's not usually that vocal and I wondered what was up. I watched him for a while and nobody was chasing him or causing any distress that I could see. Then I wondered....does he have a baby out there?
I went out quietly to let the chickens out as usual, and sure enough, the woodpecker was still there, chirping loudly at something. I ventured closer (the male hairy woodpecker lets me get very close when he's on the feeder so I wasn't too concerned). Sure enough, there on the ground was his wee son, all wet and bedraggled.
I used the zoom lens so as not to disturb him too much.
After watching Dad feed him a few times, I moved him, because I'm worried about the neighbor's cat. I put him to a higher location, up on the post where I keep my clothespins and weather station components.
I continued to watch Dad bring him insects.
Learning to climb is tricky for young woodpeckers!
"Dad! Dad! What did you bring me?"
"Yum! Thanks Dad!"
I hope he learns to get up off the ground quickly and go on to live a long, insect-fuelled life!
