This summer a Great Spotted Woodpecker made it's nest in one of the trees on my driveway I had noticed the comings and goings of the woodpeckers and found their nesting hole where I waited, hoping to catch a glimpse of one or another, but after waiting some considerable time, I withdrew from my hiding place as I knew that they would eventually make their way to my balcony. The female came one dull cloudy morning looking decidedly dirty and disheveled. Her soiled face which was almost unrecognizable told me that she had been grubbing to feed her chicks. She lay on the ledge for a while just resting before making a move towards the peanuts, and I took advantage of her visit as the following images will show.
. I never saw her male counterpart, and assumed she was raising her chicks by herself. I learned later she raised two chicks and she came to my balcony every day to get the cake crumbs to feed them.
I w1ll be linking up to Eileen's blog "Saturday's Critters" and "Wild Bird Wednesday" Stewards blog.
32 comments:
Dear Sonjia:)
I love to see your beautiful photos from the Great Spotted Woodpecker. You get always so nice photos of it. I can see why it comes to visit you. It loves your peanuts :)
I have not seen "mine" here for a very long time. They used to be here a lot in winter.
All the best to you. Many hugs!
Marit
Marit
Those chicks will grow up expecting cake! No wonder she nested at your house. Good eats. Thanks for the pictures.
Beautiful and captivating photos.
She does look in rather a bad way. It seems to be such hard work for parent birds to keep their chicks fed. I am lucky to have Great Spotted Woodpeckers nesting here. This year I have seen quite a few holes, but haven't seen them going in or out. Last year there was a nest in a tree where I walk the dogs in the mornings and the woodpecker chicks were very noisy!
Your patience paid off beautifully, capturing not just the rare sight of the female woodpecker but also a glimpse into the tireless devotion of a parent in the wild
She does look a little dirty and disheveled but she is doing a great job feeding her chicks. A very nice collection of photographs.
All the best Jan
She knew where to find the good eats :)
The poor bird was exhausted the first time by the look of her. Such a great parent!
What a lovely reward for your patient watching; nature always seems to reveal itself in the quietest moments. I love nature. That weary mother woodpecker, grubby and all, says so much about devotion. Did she return often after that visit?
That woodpecker has a grumpy face :-) So cute!
Dear Sonjia,
What a beautiful series of photos of the woodpecker.
It's good that you're feeding them, so she can raise her chicks.
Every little bit helps, as I always say.
I wish you a lovely Tuesday.
Best regards Irma
Good morning, Sonjia: I am very pleased that the woodpeckers know where to come so that you can offer a helping hand. Life is tough raising a brood alone; just ask any single mother. If you had access to some dried mealworms I am sure they would be very welcomed and would provide the fat and protein the nestlings need for strong bones and feathers. Have you, by chance, read Amy Tan’s book “The Backyard Bird Chronicles”? If not, and you can get your hands on a copy, I am sure you would enjoy it. Stay cool if you can. Hugs and kisses - David
I love that little touch of red!
These photos are beyond remarkable. What a ringside seat you have. Fantastic. She's lovely -- maybe not flashy, but very pretty. And you are a wonderful bird godmother to have the peanuts or whatever bits she gets to share with her babies!
Mum duties never stop—even for woodpeckers.
Beautiful series of photos, Sonjia!
Hello Sonjia,
Wonderful photos of your woodpecker, it is a beauty.
What a treat to see, I hope the mama and chicks continue to do well. Thank you for linking up and sharing your critters and post. Take care, have a great weekend.
...Sonjia, your feathered friend seem to enjoy peanuts. Some of its distance cousins visit our garden. I hope that you are staying cool and well.
What wonderful close ups of this neat woodpecker and what fun to get to see it raise the little ones. It's something to look forward to each day!
you provide the birds with such wonderful eats and us with really amazing images!! have a nice weekend!!
Beautiful photographs of the woodpecker. We have a variety in our backyard, a few shy and small, a few bold and fairly large. They are always welcome. I love the one that sounds like it is laughing when it calls to me from the pines.
She is a pretty bird but could use a bath, Sonjia. ;-)
The photos are beautiful!
Very nice pics of this woodpecker....and the nut was not difficult to open....
Have a good time and thanks for your kind visit to my blog
Violetta
A lovely woodpecker series!
Stunning photos.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com
Dear Sonjia,
oh yes, she is really dirty – and clearly very grateful for your peanut donations! 🥜😊 I didn’t know woodpeckers eat nuts – I always thought they focused on insects and larvae. If she’s raising her chicks alone, it must be an even greater challenge than for a pair… especially in that intense heat you’re describing. I truly hope they all will make it! 💛
Thank you so much for your lovely visits to my blog – and I’m so glad you let me know that you’re back in the blogging world. I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise – things have been rather busy lately – but it’s a joy to see your posts again!
Besides your latest one, I also enjoyed your beautiful photos of Flowers, sunsets, butterflies, bumblebees and other insects, the magnificent green lizard, squirrels and jays, and those wonderfully patterned frogs. 🐸🦎🦋
By the way, I had opened your blog about three hours ago, but then my husband came in and asked if I wanted to have something to eat – and afterward I stayed on the couch and watched a wonderful Netflix series called North of North. It’s about a young Inuit woman finding her own path – and it shows a lot of snow ❄️😉, which feels rather refreshing when it’s hot outside. Here in Austria it’s still a bit cool and rainy – but apparently, our next heatwave (with temperatures like yours!) will arrive around August 8. Maybe that’s when you will finally get some rain – I hope so, truly! 🌧️🙏
Sending sweet, but cooling, wishes & hugs from Austria –
Traude
🌿 https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2025/07/musikalischer-juli-blogparade-urban.html
A weary guest with feathers worn,
From feeding chicks since early morn—
She paused upon your balcony rail,
A mother’s tale in beak and tail.
Love the photos Sonjia!
John
Fotografías preciosas. Se la ve un poquito cansada, deseo que haya criado bien a sus pollitos. Gracias por las fotos. Muchos besos.
Hi Sonjia..I have several varieties of wood pecker but I have never seen this one. Wonderful pictures of a very pretty bird. She needs a birdbath!!
I've enjoyed these photos. There is an industrious woodpecker in our garden but he will not stand still to be photographed.
Amalia
xo
A delightful series of this hard working mom. Thank you dear Sonjia for sharing your photos. I wish you a very happy day!
OMG! Adorable photos!. Moms are selfless. You have captured the essence of it. Thank you for sharing. :)
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