Picture Of The Week 07-20-09

Remainging chick after his brother fledged.

Where: Richmond, VA • Huguenot Rd.

Notes: Thanks to a tip off the internet I decided to visit the location of this woodpecker nesting site. I anticipated the nest hole would probably be to high or too obstructed as in most cases, but I was pleasently suprised to find this not to be the case. I asked Michelle, the person who had originally reported the Pileateds in her front yard, to call me when the chicks were visible. Within a week she called with the exciting news that the babies were already sticking their heads out. I knew from experience that the youngdters must have been fairly well developed to be doing this. So, the very next day I cleared my morning schedule to go over and attempt a few shots. Although a little harsh, I knew from my first visit that the best light was from about 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM before the sun went behind the trees. There was only one viable vantage point that allowed both a clear view of the hole and good light direction along the property line. I could tell from the red "teardrop" markings on the chicks cheeks that they were both males. I hurridly began to set up my tripod and camera. The adult female came in and fed the babies before I was ready to shoot. Then, it was quite a while before the male came by with food. I was suprised to hear the babies yelping with all the volume and rhythem of the adult's call. Finally, the male (above) arrived to feed them and I got a few shots. Shortly after he left, one of the chicks sat all the way out on the edge of the nest cavity entrance and looked around. With a short hop it opened its wings a flew upward to the adjacent tree, some twenty feet away! For the first time I actually whitnessed the act of seeing a young bird fledge. That momentary experience gives this photo extra meaning to me. This is the sort of blessing that only comes with watching one bird for a long time; it make all the time spent worth while.