My reward for going outside to sweep off the back deck was to see the pileated woodpecker fly in and land on the nearest tree. I hurried inside to get my camera thinking the same thought I always have at a time like that — Should I stand here and enjoy the sight of the bird, or should I maybe miss out and have him fly away while I go get my camera. I took a chance that he’d still be there, but I was in a hurry to snap any photo I could get. Haste makes waste, they say, and sure enough, the photos were not as sharp and clear as if I’d taken the time to take a good steady picture.

But he does look like he’s about to fly away any second, doesn’t he?

 

And he did. Right over to the birdfeeders where all was empty. I was running late with  the refilling of the feeders and now I would pay for it by having the woodpecker fly away. He looks shocked at the empty cage where the suet block is usually kept. I don’t think he’s crazy about the seeds, but he must have wondered why I hadn’t replaced the suet.

As he wondered what to do, he noticed the truck tire so close to the birdfeeders.

“Yikes! It’s the invasion of the human truck drivers. Looks awfully close to the feeder. Maybe he won’t see me if I stay hidden behind this post.”

Seeing his dilemma, I brought out more suet and more birdseed as soon as the coast was clear. He had already left, but I’m sure he’ll be back.