My special Christmas treat

I've been waiting years for this. I've wondered out loud many times, "What do I need to do to draw this bird in to my feeders?" I thought last week's appearance was a fluke not to be repeated. But early on Christmas morning, when the light was still weak, I heard an unmistakable sound. It barged right into the dream I was having and woke me up, encouraging me to peek out the window. Lo and behold, the Pileated had returned. I ran stealthily downstairs to grab the camera. It was a cloudy, gray morning, and I had to turn up settings on the camera to let in as much light as possible, which made for low-quality images, but identifiable images nonetheless, of a female Pileated Woodpecker... at MY feeders!


She's creeping around on the deck railing while I'm creeping around with my camera.


That's a lot of mass to hold up just by your feet!


One of the last images captured on Christmas Day. My Christmas Pileated!
What a treat! I finally got really good looks at her. And she skirted the property throughout the day. Is she here to stay?


Here's the diva as she appeared this morning, the day after Christmas.
I think I'm about to call her a regular. And I think I've figured out what has kept her kind away in the past: the dog. I haven't yet seen her on or around the feeders when the dog is out on the deck. Isn't it funny how such a huge bird, so much larger than most of the other birds who visit the feeders, could be afraid of a dog? She needs to take a lesson in bravery from the Carolina Wren who hops around right under the dog's box that's just outside the patio door - while the dog is in the box!




What's this?! Is there some homemade bird dough in here? Why yes, yes there is.

Is it me, or is she smiling? I was smiling too.