A Wish Come True

©2010 Lisa M. Bond Photography

Originally published Jan. 26, 2011

I've waited many years to see the elusive pileated woodpecker up close.  Last week, one of my wishes came true when this one landed on a big oak tree right outside of my kitchen window.  When I ran to get the camera it flew away to a different oak tree across the yard.  Then, in a stroke of luck, it flew back to the tree by the kitchen window.  I was ecstatic! 



It is a beautiful and very large woodpecker, but shy.  They are as big as a crow, growing 15-19 inches tall with a wingspan of 26 to 29 inches.  You can read more about them here: 

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Pileated_Woodpecker/lifehistory

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