At first, at thought there might be some fighting, but a second look told me it was a big male and a big female clinging to the center pillar. This was not a fight. It was love. It was romance. It was passion. It was the courtship of a male desperately in love with a lovely young female. He was doing everything a woodpecker can do to win the love of his lady.

He came bearing a piece of suet. When that did not first win her over, he flapped his beautiful striped wings and offered her a black sunflower seed. He flapped his wings again, showing her what a fine, strong boy he is and what wonderful fledglings they will hatch.

Woodpeckers are excellent parents and very devoted, generally for life. They care for their young for months making sure they know where to find the food (our deck, as a rule) and before they let them go, their babies are full-sized birds ready to breed their own babies.

The deed is done. She has accepted the suet and the seed. Many happy returns! They won’t be breeding in the same tree, though because we had it cut down yesterday pre-empting its likely fall onto the roof and deck.

There are many trees in our woods and I’m sure they will find just the right one in which to settle down. May your union bring forth many beautiful Hairy Woodpeckers to live long and well in our woods.

Categories: #Birds, #gallery, #Photography, Anecdote, Love, Romance, Woodpeckers

Tags: #gallery, #Photography, birds, Marilyn Armstrong