"CHIPPING AWAY (Part 2)"

Pileated Woodpecker (Female) - 7 Photos

Continuing on from the previous blog, "Chipping Away (Part 1)", the following photos are the female of this pair of woodpeckers.

And like her male counterpart, there was a lot of chipping away at the log (Photo #1 & Photo #2) and discarding of old wood (Photo #3 & Photo #4).

Then there was the tongue exercise looking for hidden treasures (Photo #5). 

And finally, like her partner, she struck gold (Photo #6). 

I revisited the location the next day and although the Pileated Woodpeckers were no longer there, on the log was an assortment of smaller woodpeckers (Downy, Hairy & Northern Flickers) & other insect eaters, such as the White Breasted Nuthatch. The Pileateds having excavated the log to great depths the day before, made it much easier for the smaller birds to come in and take part in the insect/larvae buffet. Much like large mammal predators catching prey, they take their share but their exploits allow other smaller predators, food opportunities.

PHOTO #1

PHOTO #2

PHOTO #3

PHOTO #4

PHOTO #5

PHOTO #6