Jean Dessellier had several visitors this past week at her bird feeding station, but not just your usual smaller songbirds. She often gets one Pileated Woodpecker that likes to “hang out” on her suet feeder, but it’s a rare occurance when she gets a pair of them at the same time. That’s a male Pileated in the first photo, distinctive with the red stripe on his cheek. Check out the size of his feet gripped onto the mesh feeder. In the second photo that’s the male on the suet feeder again, with the female on the left, waiting by the post for her turn at the feeder it seems. Jean always manages to capture amazing photos of them.

I was curious as to why they are called “Pileated” and found the following with a Google search: “Pileated refers to the bird's prominent red crest, from the Latin pileatus, meaning capped.” Interesting indeed, just like these woodpeckers themselves.

Something else that’s quite interesting here in the Keweenaw, is winter this year or maybe I should say the lack of winter this year. In The Keweenaw shares a video titled, Waiting for Winter to Return to the Keweenaw, saying that it ...”Feels like spring, but it's early February. We're patiently waiting for winter to return to the Keweenaw. On a positive note we've been getting some nice sunrises and sunsets!”

Great pictures of these awesome birds. Pretty
video too.

It's mating season for woodpeckers..that's why
there's 2 Pileateds together like that. It is so
cool...you'll see woodpeckers feeding each other,
almost looks like they are kissing. it's so cool.

The vid is beautiful and we NEED winter. I got a
friend that owns a business, and is paying
employees partly with food! IMAGINE....This is
horrid for those that make their ANNUAL income
now....

Beautiful birds…I like the first pic against
the blue sky.
And if it’s matting season then it looks like
they are wining and dining before they
do the deed. But if the male had any smarts,
he’d let her go first. Looks like papa never
told junior about the birds and the bees.
Hypnotic video… love the music.

I'm glad to see Jean has been getting some mileage from her suet feeder. Mine has been barely touched so far this year.

Donna,
If this truly becomes a trend then just like farmers in areas with more variable Summer weather can purchase subsidized crop insurance, maybe there needs to be the same for these Winter businesses.

Nice looking pics and beautiful colors on the
birds. Wife, Vic makes suet cakes every year at
Christmas time to give to the family members.
Soothing video with nice music. I really feel bad
for the folks who depend on the snow to attract
the snowmobilers and the economic boost they
provide. I sure hope they survive this mild
winter! Even if it really started coming down, how
much longer is the season... maybe 45 more days??
Wondering if the trail groomers have enough to be
out there??
Vic and her mom are in Florida this month visiting
her sister, I'm here with the dogs, hoping to come
up in March with Marty for a few days and get out
of the city for a while.
Have a great weekend all!!

MS Deb, Great looking profile pic!!

I have a couple of snowmobile friends that typically travel twice a year the 500 miles to Big Bay. They still hope to get one trip in yet this winter.

Oh you are right on DA...something gotta happen.