I've said it before and I'll say it again, Donna MacIntosh is absolutely, positively, an animal whisperer. Her Baraga bird feeder is always busy with birds or mammals and today's photos don't disappoint.

Donna said this Pileated Woodpecker came for lunch the other day and Donna had stopped making the woodpecker suet, figuring it was time to quit, then we got the snow again and the woodpeckers were still hanging out. So she decided to make her usual suet with lard, peanut butter and mealy worms for them. But guess what? The Pileated didn't like it, so it was actually on the ground looking for seed, which is not a usual behavior for the Pileated, since they're normally quite skittish and don't really feed on the ground. So, being the animal lover that she is, Donna made another batch of her concoction, substituting sunflower seeds for the mealy worms and back to the suet feeder this guy went. Spoiled much? ;->

It looks like the Hairy Woodpecker likes the sunflower seeds too. Good thing it has a long beak to drill into the lard/peanut butter and find the best seeds. Then the Pine Grosbeaks come to get their daily meal at Donna's bird café, too. This one takes a break on top of the shepard's hook, so Donna can capture a great profile shot of his color plumage.

But Donna doesn't just feed her feathered friends, she has furry visitors, too, so she puts out seeds on the ground for the squirrels so there isn't quite so much competition and they don't have to climb the bird feeders for their grub.

Last, but not least, her largest furry visitors are the deer. They're back to moving around again with much less snow on the ground, so Donna puts out bread amongst her critter goodies and this deer decided that a sandwich was in order for lunch that day. I just love this shot!

FOOTNOTE: Yesterday's Great Sand Bay shots from Joe Kirkish were quite interesting and beautiful. If you missed them, just click here: Friday, March 25th, to take a look at them!

These are magnificent photos!
And that deer definitely knows which side of it's bread is buttered.

Great wildlife pictures.

Great Photos today and yesterday!!

Donna's pictures are hard to beat!

Awww...thank you....I just feel so Blessed to be
able to feed all these beautiful birds and other
critters....and just LOVE my Backyard Cafe'.....This
was the first year I've seen Pine Grosbeaks..they
were here for a few months, and since the snow
disappeared, so have they.....they sing so
beautifully!! And I am pretty sure that's a male
pileated at the top and a female next and the rest
are males? How do you tell on the Pileateds for
sure?

Beautiful pictures. The Pileated is my favorite woodland bird. The way I was told to tell the difference is that the red stripe on the head starts from the bill on the male and it starts further back from the bill on the female. Thanks for the pics of the customers at your restaurant.

Just in case anyone else was wondering.

Definition of Pileated: Having a crest covering the pileum.

Definition of Pileum: The top of the head of a bird from the bill to the nape.

If it's wild to your own heart, protect it. Preserve it. Love it, And fight for it, and dedicate yourself to it, whether it's a mountain range, your wife, your husband, or even (heaven forbid) your job. It doesn't matter if it's wild to anyone else: if it's what makes your heart sing, if it's what makes your days soar like a hawk in the summertime, then focus on it. Because for sure, it's wild, and if it's wild, it'll mean you're still free. No matter where you are.

Wise words from Rick Bass

Fantastic photos! I love the deer with the bread, but all of them are great.

It makes me miss our old place in Red Jacket Shaft. We saw so many pretty birds and interesting animals. I envy those of you who get to enjoy it on a daily basis.

Donna,
That is one of the best photos I have seen of a Pileated Woodpecker, either by an amateur or Professional!! You are right, that's a male on top with his red check stripe; females do not have that. We had all of these birds/animals and more at our former house in Red Jacket. I am soooooo envious!!!! :P

"Donna MacIntosh, animal whisperer." That's for sure!

Some folks have the magic. One of my uncles in Bruce Crossing sure used to have it — while hiking along the road, thru the pasture or thru the woods wild birds of nearly every variety would fly up, perch on his shoulder and talk to him.

Really nice pictures, Donna. What a great
place to live!

The deer is in-bread.

Thank you all...and Pat and Glenda...FABULOUS quote!
And Janie...lol..the deer is in-bread...lol!!!

And thank you Duane...I thought that was a
male....now I know!

I so enjoyed each of the beautiful wildlife photos
today. Thank you for sharing.

great portraits/pictures for saturday.

congratulations to powers nc for bringing
the boys class d basketball state title
back UP again. sorry mary, it might have been.