At last! The return of the pileated woodpecker, our most dramatic bird. Pileated just means “crested”, and these are the Woody Woodpecker birds. The very first time I saw one, I thought it was an Ivory Billed Woodpecker. It was not, of course, but still a worthwhile sighting.
Note the eponymous crest 
We never get tired of the sight of these birds 
Look at the strength of that woodpecker tail – and bill!
There were other birds, of course.
Blue jays drink 
A convivial time at the water bowl 
Goldfinches and cardinal 
Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal having a spat 
Cardinal on the wing 
Downy woodpecker in flight
Harlan came to empty the dumpster and I talked too much, as usual, despite my resolution. It was very cold, though, so he soon moved on to Jane’s dumpster.
We had a short visit from a friend, which was fun, and then I buckled down to barn work before Harry served up my favorite lunch. I am very spoiled and very lucky. Arthur joined us at lunch, but was very energetic and didn’t stay still.
Arthur is visiting upstairs more often, but is difficult to photograph
Speaking of spoiled, I took a “rest” after lunch, which turned into a full blown nap. Harry took a picture. I did not nap alone.
We went to the ring to check on conditions. Harry helped set a jump that had blown down. There was beautiful evidence of critters walking across the ring.
There is a horse show this week and next at the National Equestrian Center, but we will not be participating, obviously. Conditions might allow a ride here tomorrow, though, if the stars align. The horses had a delightful day, as the sun warmed beyond normal after a very cold night.
Be safe, be well. Peace.
Lying in the sun on a winter day looks like the ultimate luxury to me. Enjoy.
Peace
It was indeed a luxury, Linda – not very productive, though!
Great close ups of the horses, but my fav is your nap with all the critters. Lovely!! Happy Horses, Happy Days!
It was difficult to leave that pile of critters, Jane. So I took a real nap.
I wish my cats would agree to share the space on my bed but they spend their time glaring at each other. I love the pileated woodpecker. I haven’t seen one here but we often saw them back in WA. Do you have visiting bears? (The clawmarks?)
Oh, we do have bears in Missouri again, fairly recently returned, and I would love to see one, but I failed to show scale. Those tracks were small – probably raccoon?
I do NOT want to see a bear while riding through the woods, though! As I understand from my friend in Montana, who is a wilderness guide, horses are really scared of bears! We live in the exurbs here, and have only had one bear sighting near here last summer. I think they are likely to prefer to stay south, in the Ozark mountains.
Delightful again, all of it! Good chuckle at the nap scene, Lol. They herded you into it?
Looks alot like my naps, ha! I love the pace of your day!