Downy in Winter

(1/7/16)

Despite facing the likelihood of removal come spring, the final act for the dying tree in our backyard continues to be as something of a haven for passing woodpeckers. A victim of the emerald ash borer, the uppermost trunk of the tree is riddled with both the telltale D-shaped exit holes of the EAB eating through the bark and woodpeckers chipping away at the surface for the larvae delicacy. Woodpeckers love EABs and the tree is clearly infested with them, thus the attraction to woodpeckers. While not necessarily part of the natural circle of tree life (the EAB are after-all an invasive species, so not really "natural"), because the tree is "going out" as such, I have had the chance to catch woodpeckers in broad daylight more frequently of late.

(1/7/16)

Just Sunday afternoon, while washing dishes, the bright red plumage of the make Downy Woodpecker caught my eye. On two separate occasions Sunday morning, I found myself standing in the backyard snapping pictures of him as he feasted on the tree and listening to the distinctive whinnying call. After pecking away at the bark for ten minutes each time, he eventually flew back over the fence and along my neighbors roof line to points unknown.

(1/7/16)

(1/7/16)

(1/7/16)

While this is clearly the tree's final winter in our backyard, in addition to having provided me with quite a few backyard birding adventures over the past ten years, it is appropriate that we have this final go-round, a dance a hope to continue in the coming weeks.