They were intent on checking out the entire length of two trees right behind our porch. This sighting was incredibly intimate as we were just yards away from each other and – if they were paying attention – they most certainly would’ve been aware of my presence. Not only has it been two years since I last saw one, but that encounter was also from the inside of my bedroom. I have to admit, this encounter with the Pileateds was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. Take your thoughts and give them action.” The pileated reminds us that our way will work best now. Though others may not understand your thinking processes as you take on new endeavors, do not be dissuaded – even if you do not quite understand them. Trust your own instincts as to the rhythm that works for you. Be wary of others trying to nudge you into a rhythm or behavior with which you are not comfortable. When the pileated appears, it is time to follow your own thinking and your own rhythms. Any kind of crown or crest on an animal is usually an indication to follow one’s own thinking. It is solid black, distinguishing it from most other birds and it has the red crested plumage. One of the largest, it is not always seen. The pileated is a wary kind of woodpecker. Their stiff tail is used as a prop, allowing them to ‘drum.’ Some do so more strongly than others and the pileated woodpecker is one of them.Īll woodpeckers have a strong bill, pointed for chipping and digging through the bark of a tree for insects. All woodpeckers teach us something about a new rhythm at play within our life. “I am fortunate to have in the woods around my home at least seven types of woodpeckers, including the pileated. “ PILEATED WOODPECKER – Keynote: Follow your own rhythm, regardless of others While of course I hope you’ll go back and read that post if you’re so inclined, I’m going to repeat here the information I quoted from Animal-Wise* by Ted Andrews: Seems like a pattern that demands some attention. And this year, in the span of two days, I saw two of each of them. I was miles away from the Tohickon at that point – so a double appearance within minutes of each other was…remarkable.Īnd to think: two years ago I saw one each of these heretofore rarely seen (by me) creatures. Making today’s sighting even more odd was the fact that, not 20 minutes later, I saw yet another osprey flying overhead as I drove down Route 611. The only other ospreys I’d ever seen before today had been flying overhead, once along the Delaware and the other along the Tohickon, but much further down the creek. “…Perched (ospreys) appear long-legged and often show a narrow white stripe between shoulders and body their wingtips extend just beyond tail tip.” I had to check my bird app, and there it was, described in detail in my Peterson’s Field Guide app. And the ruff of white around its neck was so prominent, it almost looked like the ruffs sported by lords or other royal denizens from medieval times. But when I looked closer, I knew I’d never seen the white feathers all down the front of the chest of an eagle. At first, the presence of brilliant white plumage made me think I’d spotted a Bald Eagle. The cause for my abrupt stop in the middle of the one lane road was the majestic presence of an Osprey staring directly at me from across the creek. I didn’t expect to see anything out of the ordinary, but I do try to keep an eye out for the occasional special appearance of a creature – winged or otherwise. I was only driving past my favorite place to sit and write because the fisherpeople are still swamping the area and all the usual places I park along the bank were taken. So it’s easy to imagine my surprise, then, when I drove by my beloved Tohickon Creek and stopped in the middle of the road. It’s hard to believe they didn’t sense my presence they hung around for close to half an hour, and all that while, I was moving around, trying to get the best photos and videos of them with my phone. Until two days ago.Īnd wow – witnessing the dance of those two Pileateds up and down and round and round the two trees just behind my porch was an astonishing opportunity. I find it peculiar that in the span of two short days I’ve now experienced the return of two messengers that I only saw for the first time ever in 2019.Īs I mentioned in my recent post, until I awakened on my birthday in 2019, I’d never seen a Pileated Woodpecker ‘in the feather.’ And after that single, exciting sighting two years ago, where it pecked (I should say drilled) its presence into my awareness right outside my bedroom window, I’ve not seen another one. There must be something I need to reflect upon more deeply that connects 20 than I’m realizing. Osprey Surveying the Tohickon – Photo: L.
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