Project 365 – Day 291: Woodpeckers, a squirrel and leaves on Mount Royal

By Montreal in Pictures | Published October 17, 2012

October 17 2012

Autumn seems to be drawing to a close with fewer leaves on the trees, so I thought I better take advantage of the nice weather and take a quick walk up to Mount Royal.

I thought I would try and shoot some wildlife and struck lucky soon in to my walk when I came across a Pileated woodpecker pecking away at a tree. The one I saw was male (although both have the red crown on the top and rear of the head, the male is identified by the red forehead and mustache, whereas the female markings are black ). I have to admit, I had no idea what woodpecker I was looking at when shooting it, only writing this post and checking on Google did I become a pseudo ornithologist 😉

This guy was not shy at all and was quite happy to continue pecking away while posing now and then for his photo to be taken. I reckon he was about 10-12 inches tall.

Pileated Male Woodpecker on Mount Royal
ISO 500 – 300mm – f5.6 – 1/180 sec

Red plume of a Male Pilieated Woodpecker

Red plume of a Male Pileated Woodpecker
ISO 100 – 300mm – f5.6 – 1/180 sec

I’m not sure if I’m correct in my identifying this next bird as a downy woodpecker , so I guess I’m still a long way off becoming an ornithologist

Downy Woodpecker on Mount Royal
ISO 800 – 280mm – f6.7 – 1/350 sec

Squirrels are extremely abundant on Mount Royal and I rarely stop to photograph them, but this one seemed to be following me around as if he was jealous I’d been shooting his flying friends.