Tag Archives: Pileated Woodpecker

Dog Walk Birds

I seldom watch birds without our dog, Ginger, along on a leash. It adds a challenge of stabilizing dog and camera when photographing but we often log 15-20 miles a week together. With mud season in full bloom here, most of our walks are on the great network of sidewalks throughout Montpelier. Here are some recent shots, a couple from today.

Blue Jays are here through the winter.
Likewise, Canada Geese stick around – we see this pair every day.

Yesterday, I came across this Pileated Woodpecker in a close-by neighborhood. I’ve heard them this year but this is the first I’ve seen.

Then, this morning, just as we were heading out, this Wood Duck pair, recently arrived, were riding the river current downstream. They are very shy, unlike our Mallards, but just wonderful to see.

Female (this is the year I master manual focusing.)

North Carolina Recap

We’ve been home for a few weeks and just getting to the rest of the NC photos. It was a great trip — and this is our second visit to a nice cottage in Manteo that we really like.

The birding in the yard is wonderful — here’s a Carolina Wren singing to me early one morning.

There’s a nice mix of woodlands and ocean — here are some shots from our outings.

A House Finch serenading.
There were many Great-crested Flycatchers about.
Tree Swallow.
This Pileated Woodpecker on a dirt road seemed healthy and just looking for breakfast.
A Coastal Plain Cooter.

The Bodie Island Lighthouse attracts hundreds of visitors each day, but we passed on climbing the stairway to the top — though I’m a pilot, I fear heights. I hope your spring birding goes well.