Pileated Woodpecker

The following pictures have been hiding on my computer since late May of this year. 

If you don't care for birds, now would be a good time to go do something else, for the rest of you, here are a series of Pileated Woodpecker shots.

I had spent quite some time wandering around in our local park and was on my way back to my car and home, when a kind lady alerted me to "that big woodpecker" in a tree nearby.

I cautiously approached the tree and realized quickly that this big woodpecker was more concerned about getting a morsel of food than about me.

He, and yes this is a male, the red moustache tells me that, has been very busy for quite some time

As I was watching and clicking away with my camera, I slowly moved closer.At one point he decided to get a look at me,  but soon went back to his feeding.

Seeing this bird up close, one really sees the size. He is one big woodpecker.

None of these photos have been cropped, so it shows how close I was. I think I had a smile on my face throughout the whole time.

 Sometimes it all just works out. I left the park with thankfulness on my heart. Had this lady not made me aware of it, I would have missed this opportunity, and she left not knowing how much I appreciated having this chance.