Harry and Harriet are hairy woodpeckers who live in the trees near our house. Sometimes they come closer for a visit to check out the bird feeders, but what they really like to eat is anything that is small and moves, usually under the bark of trees, rotten or otherwise.
They’re not that fussy. Fruit, berries, and nuts make them happy too. They’re generally not seedeaters, but I was wondering if Harry was interested in that sunflower seed he has wedged in between the boards just by his right foot.
Harriet has one by her foot too, but it’s hard to say if she put the seed there or if a nuthatch was working on it and Harriet came over to check it out.
I sang a song for Harriet,
I like to call by trilling,
So far, she hasn’t noticed yet,
I’d hoped she’d find it thrilling.


February 6, 2026 at 12:08 am
That’s a very cute poem and I love your pictures. They do love their bugs but I think this time of year means eating things that maybe aren’t at the top of the list!
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February 6, 2026 at 5:29 am
Yes, I think that’s the case for many birds.
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February 6, 2026 at 12:37 am
Love it Anneli, entertaining as always and the woodpeckers look so sweet! Well captured.
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February 6, 2026 at 5:30 am
Thanks, Tone. They’re quite small and I love seeing them around.
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February 6, 2026 at 1:17 am
Anneli, what a lovely couple of visitors for you! I love the photos, Harry is looking curiously at you while Harriet is considering the seed! A fun poem inspired by the beautiful woodpeckers!
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February 6, 2026 at 5:31 am
They’re so quiet compared to the big pileated woodpeckers that come here so boldly sometimes. Thanks for the nice comment, Annika.
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February 6, 2026 at 4:51 am
You got a chuckle out of me with “torso.” Thanks, Anneli!
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February 6, 2026 at 5:33 am
Funny thing – I was thinking about it this morning, how it’s a stretch to make “morsel” and “torso” rhyme, but that’s part of the fun of doing this.
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February 6, 2026 at 6:23 am
Fun, indeed!
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February 6, 2026 at 5:52 am
Good sightings Anneli. We often see woodpeckers and flickers in our back yard. I just hope they do not start pecking on my trees. Happy Friday. Allan
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February 6, 2026 at 6:01 am
Of course they will, Allan. That’s what woodpeckers do! *smile*
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February 6, 2026 at 6:02 am
I so enjoy your bird photos and poems. The woodpeckers at my place will eat peanuts and ants. I love watching them. Great names for your woodpeckers.
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February 6, 2026 at 6:05 am
Thanks, Mags. I’m so glad to hear that you have woodpeckers around your area. They’re so much fun to watch.
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February 6, 2026 at 7:07 am
A fun poem, these birds seem smaller than their cousins? Not sure. 😊
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February 7, 2026 at 2:30 pm
I’d say they’re about the size of a young robin, and yes, that would make them smaller than most other woodpeckers.
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February 7, 2026 at 4:14 pm
Okay, my eyes do not trick me. 🤭
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February 6, 2026 at 8:03 am
Thanks for the fun verse and woodpecker shenanigans.
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February 6, 2026 at 8:25 am
I like it when my birds and little animals cooperate. Thanks, Brad.
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February 6, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Sweet poem and photos!
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February 6, 2026 at 2:50 pm
Thanks, Belinda.
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February 6, 2026 at 4:00 pm
Harry and Harriet are fun names for woodpeckers. Woodpeckers are intelligent birds. I recently read about it. Your photos are great.
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February 6, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Thanks a lot, Thomas. I was thinking too, that woodpeckers must be pretty smart to find a variety of food like they do,
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February 6, 2026 at 8:55 pm
Yes you are right and in addition some woodpeckers use sticks and spines to pry larvae from tree cavities and they even break the twigs into the right size.
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February 6, 2026 at 9:05 pm
I haven’t seen that myself, but it must be quite something.
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February 6, 2026 at 10:19 pm
Neither have I. I was reading about it (and watching youTube videos).
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February 7, 2026 at 12:52 am
Lovely pictures and poem.
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February 7, 2026 at 7:49 am
Thanks, Ursula. I love seeing them here.
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February 7, 2026 at 1:45 am
Lovely photos and poem, Anneli.
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February 7, 2026 at 7:50 am
Thanks, Vivienne. I like these little guys a lot.
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February 7, 2026 at 1:40 pm
😀
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February 7, 2026 at 5:46 pm
This was delightful and by the time I reached “torso” I was smiling pretty big – and love the bits of alliteration: “Harry and Harriet are hairy” who live by the house….
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February 7, 2026 at 5:51 pm
Thank you so much for the kind comment. Now I’m smiling too.
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February 7, 2026 at 8:50 pm
and I loved all the extras in this post, colors, details of the feather and the lichen
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February 7, 2026 at 9:49 pm
Thanks a lot.
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February 7, 2026 at 10:25 pm
🌸🌺
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February 13, 2026 at 8:22 am
Ha, we all have to watch our torsos in the winter months, that’s for sure. I was fun to say hello to our Downies and Hairies upon our return – like abandoned friends that meet again.
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February 13, 2026 at 8:47 am
Like seeing old friends.
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