Familiar View

Familiar, yes, but it's still a treat to see this female Pileated Woodpecker clearly enjoying the nubbins of suet cake in the high feeder! A few frames before this image, she was using the claws on her right foot to groom herself or perhaps scratch an itch. Her right eye was protected from those very sharp claws by the "third eyelid," the nictitating membrane (see extra photo).

Familiar activities today for me, as well, and moving a bit slowly after a long choir rehearsal last night, after spending the day traveling home from Portland. But now the laundry's done, the suitcases are emptied, the refrigerator is restocked, and tomorrow I'll start catching up with everyone!

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