A Pileated Woodpecker at Salsipuedes

What a wonderful day! I finally saw a pileated woodpecker--on a tree just to the side of my house. Funny, I have hoped for several years to see one. I had been hearing this loud bird call almost every day since I've been living here at Salsipuedes. Well, the other day one of my fellow Texas Master Naturalists came over for a visit. We were sitting on the front porch and she told me the call we heard was that very woodpecker. We caught just a glimpse of it as it flew away.Today when I heard the call, I crept out to the edge of the trees, and lo and behold, he (or she) was on a nearby tree. I was so excited I forgot to look closely to see if it was male or female. But I have high hopes that I will see it again very soon!! I will be on the lookout. Just for your information, I'm posting two photos (not of the one here, but ones I found on the web). I'm hoping some day to take a photograph of the one living here.  Meanwhile, I'm on the lookout for its nesting cavity.

Female

Male

They are very large--you will never forget them!

Stay tuned for more "critter" photos!