Pileated Woodpecker

The Pileated Woodpecker is one of the North Carolina mountain secrets. It is a symbol of wildness, preferring deep woods but occasionally venturing forth to farms and settled valleys. Seen here in a Red Maple, the incredible penetration of their large beaks is evident. Their call is a loud, almost jungle like raucous cry, not a song one would expect of a bird. Mountain folks call them "rain crows", as they are just slightly smaller than a crow.

Once on my farm, several crows began attacking a pileated woodpecker, and in an effort to escape, it dove into my blueberry bushes, which I had covered with netting to protect the berries from marauding birds. The woodpecker became helplessly entangled, and my wife was afraid to try to help it, as it was struggling so fiercely. I came home soon thereafter, and managed to gently hold the woodpecker down so it couldn't bite or claw me, and very carefully cut away the netting that entangled it. It seemed to realize my intent, and became very calm. After freeing it, I lifted it up in my two hands, opened my hands, and watched it fly toward life and freedom. It set into a tree above me, and looked at me for awhile, then turned and flew away with a call that gave me chills. I still see this woodpecker here from time to time, and it seems to have no fear of me.

There are so many lessons in life to learn from the abundant life around us, so many mysteries to discover. Living here in these mountains for my entire life (minus expeditions and adventures) has taught me that the pool of mysteries is bottomless, and filled with metaphors that are spiritual in their core. The force and beauty of creation is all around us, waiting to be discovered and appreciated, if we only take the time to venture forth and observe. More to come.