Finally, a diagnostic photograph of a Pileated Woodpecker! I've probably seen PIWOs 150 times now in the Choctawhatchee River system, and have heard them countless other times. If the IBWO truly is extinct, then this is the largest woodpecker species in the US. It bears a few superficial similarities to IBWOs, though a trained eye should be able to sort out even the most cursory glimpse of a large woodpecker in a few seconds. Nonetheless, trying to get a snap of a PIWO provides excellent practice for that moment if/when the IBWO does come visiting, and also serves to illustrate how difficult it will be to get that sharp, irrefutable IBWO photo. After all, if I can only get one set of diagnostic PIWO photos per 150 sightings....
Another shot of the same, beautiful, red-crested Pileated Woodpecker.
A Barred Owl. We hear 'em all the time, but see them less often.
A Barred Owl. We hear 'em all the time, but see them less often.
Another Barred Owl.
Click and you shall see a rusty-tailed Hermit Thrush.
Click and you shall see a rusty-tailed Hermit Thrush.
Eastern Phoebe. These cute tail-waggers are ubiquitous on the Choc.
