For me, the catalyst for photographing birds was a chance passing in the forest of a Pileated Woodpecker in a tree cavity. It was the first time I'd ever seen a bird in a tree cavity, and it continued to hang out there the entire time I stood by watching. I was fascinated and returned the next day with a camera, not really expecting the bird to be there. It was, and with it another woodpecker that turned out to be its mate. That was the beginning of a seven week photo shoot. (Springfield, VA)
When I first encountered the woodpeckers they worked in tandem to prepare the nest. After its shift whichever bird was in the nest would call out for the other to return.
Once the mate returned the other would leave and the mate would take its turn in the nest.
Wood chips and dust would be picked up by mouth and deposited outside the nest...
...or blown out in a spray.
The woodpeckers began spending a lot of time, individually, inside the nest.
The mother leaves the nest.
The father returns to the nest.
It was soon apparent there was at least one hatchling. Parents could be seen at what looked like a feeding position.
A hatchling is confirmed by the mother leaving the nest carrying a fecal sac for disposal.
The first sighting of a chick.
As the feedings progressed I hoped to see evidence of more than one chick, but none ever came. There was only one.
A Red-bellied Woodpecker investigates the cavity...
...only to be surprised by an inhabitant.
Showing the love.
Junior appears curious and eager to check out the outside world.
The nestling ventures out to the edge of the nest opening to feed.
The father appears to be withholding food in an attempt to encourage the youngster to come out of the nest.
