And Life Goes On....

  I am not one to overlook the smaller things around me.  I have a keen interest in most things of nature and, even though I am bewildered by most occurrences, the continuation of life marvels me.  I am just as intrigued by seed pods as I am baby rabbits, birds' eggs and crab moltings.  It is just the process of living and how Mother Nature sees to all of her wards that leaves me awestruck.

  Today's bit of happiness was found in a single fledgling bird.  A pair of Redheaded Woodpeckers had nested in the dead pine over the Bayou. This pine has been standing strong through most squalls coming in off the Gulf for the past seven years.  It was then that lightning struck the pine rendering it lifeless in its own accord but shortly thereafter, full of life of others.  A dead tree houses so many creatures.  Flying squirrels, wrens, woodpeckers, insects of all sorts and a dozen or so other residents readily moved into their new dwellings.  The woodpeckers were in the upper most section of the tree.  They did well with their brood bringing all three to the feeders shortly after their leap of faith from the treetop abode.  Sadly, the resident Cooper's Hawk made a meal of two of the tiny birds but one has been going strong despite the dangers of the world.  The hawk has since moved on to the much slower doves.

Papa Redheaded Woodpecker standing guard over the nesting hole.

The sole survivor of the brood of baby Redheaded Woodpeckers.

  The little woodpecker is learning fast that the feeders give a ready meal.  Mama and Papa are teaching him to reach in the small hole, snatch a sunflower seed, place it in a hollow of the driftwood post and then crack the shell.  The small inner seed is plucked from the outer shell.  Little Bird was trying his hand at shelling the seeds this afternoon.  A few, he dropped.  Those were immediately devoured by the doves waiting beneath the feeders.  A few, he cracked successfully. With each triumph, he let loose a shriek of joy and the parent birds bobbed their heads in approval.  The family is doing fine.  The next generation is learning well albeit only one.  I do know of three other Redheaded Woodpecker nests in the area so this one will carry on the species for a bit longer.  I smile as I think that perhaps my grandkids will know the joy of these birds.  Yep...I smile.