Back at the big woodpecker tree... A hairy woodpecker! I expect an owl might move in. You can see, in the close-ups, all the small holes where the pileated woodpecker found some bugs. I've found the setting sun lights up the hole really well. Pileated woodpeckers get to be 40 - 49 cm (19"), and this is a large hole.

Just for comparison, this is the female barred owl, in front of her nesting cavity. I've been following this pair for a couple of years. They use the same nest until it falls apart. Barred owls (uCornell) are between 43 and 50 cm (17 - 20") tall, so this might work if the other nest fails. They are very territorial, and have a hunting territory of 100s of acres. Another family will not move in for now.

I found a near-by tree where the woodpeckers have been hunting other bugs.


Every time I go down there, a red squirrel gives me a hard time. I didn't bother with a photo, I spent too much time talking to it. Here is an archival photo I especially like!

S/he must have a home in this area. I found very large piles of pine cone remains. It must feel safe enough to sit for a long time and eat.


The frog pond is still frozen over, even though we've lost a lot of snow cover. I walked back across it to get to the house.