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Bird Stories  Woodpecker by TanEric Canadian ducks by vaughaag Today I saw the woodpecker again. I recognized it by the red plumage on the head and the yellow wings. It peered at me quizzically from the branch of the Rain Tree above with dark eyebrows raised as if saying, “Oh, it is you again.” I had last seen it pecking away at one of the Royal Palms in the thicket nearby from which it flew. It tried to look nonchalant but I knew that it was nervous. I also knew that it had deliberately revealed itself to me to distract me from the thicket of Royal Palms where its nest was. I am sorry Mrs. Woodpecker but I was wise to your trick but do not worry, your secret is safe with me. I will not tell a soul about your nest. What am I doing here so often? Oh, this pathway is part of my morning walk in the Lake Garden. This encounter reminds me of the pair of Canadian ducks in a park at Coquitlam, Vancouver, Canada. Back in early 1990, I had promised them that I would return to see them someday but twenty one years have already passed by. I intend to fulfil my promise but I worry whether they will still be able to recognize me. I have put on a few pounds, my hair has turned grey and the more and deeper wrinkles on my face have given me that craggy look. You know, like Charles Bronson. However, I am sure I will recognize them. Back then, there were just the two of them in the lake at the park but if I were to return now, I expect to hear the soft flapping of little wings as the young ones follow them around like in a flotilla. I really look forward to seeing them again. A promise is a promise and it has to be kept so I must return to the park at Coquitlam and, I must also ask you to promise not to tell anybody about the woodpecker’s nest located in the thicket of Royal Palms right in front of the nursery and beside the lotus pond at the Taiping Lake Garden. Lee Note: 1. The above episode happened some time ago. Mrs. Woodpecker and her have since left the nest for places unknown. Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past |
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i enjoyed reading your narrative ... can you identify the woodpecker? i don't think i've seen a red-headed with yellow wings. It is the Greater Flameback Woodpecker. Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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1/28/2011 6:50 am |
I love your post..We have four kinds of wood peckers here but have never seen the yellow winged kind..it's very pretty. I hope you get to see the Mallards again..they are one of a multitude of waterfowl I see from my window. I'm so lucky to have a front row seat to natures wonders.
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1/28/2011 8:15 pm |
Great shots, beautiful birds
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1/29/2011 5:06 am |
Hi Lee: I've never seen a woodpecker before but it is so beautiful. We have a lot of ducks and geese here in Ontario. They look exactly the same, only the ducks have shorter necks. Our city pays two special dogs and their trainers to make sure the ducks stay out of the parks. The two dogs are so amazing to watch. If they see a person feeding the ducks, the dogs come over to the person and bark like crazy. If the ducks swim too close to shore, the dogs dive in the water and chase them away.
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Hi Meri, Those photos are not taken by me. The woodpecker is by TanEric and the ducks by vaughaag. Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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Hi 1750 and LoyalLiz, Thank you for the invitation and I will love to get together when I visit Coquitlam again but you know this article is a bit a tongue-in-cheek. I mean if the ducks are still around they would probably have poor eyesight and waddling around with the aid of a walking stick.  I enjoyed my sojourn in Canada; my regret is that I did not have a digital camera then.Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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Hi Gyjlizer, No, it's a Greater Flameback and you are right, i better hurry.  Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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Hi leoviolet, I too have spotted this woodpecker only a couple of times. In fact, the first time I spotted it, I was around sixty and I could not believe that we have such a beautiful bird in our country. I kept a lookout for it after that. We have also in the past few years spotted the hornbill but I have yet to photograph it. I think these birds have been driven out out into the open as more and more jungles are cleared. Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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Hi Ane, Thanks for the visit. Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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I love your post..We have four kinds of wood peckers here but have never seen the yellow winged kind..it's very pretty. I hope you get to see the Mallards again..they are one of a multitude of waterfowl I see from my window. I'm so lucky to have a front row seat to natures wonders. Four kinds of woodpeckers and a multitude of waterfowl! You are very lucky indeed. I too would love a front row seat. I am lucky too in that there is a hillock opposite my house and I often wake up to the songs of birds but I would prefer a lake. Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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Great shots, beautiful birds I agree these are great shots but I just share them. Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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Hi Lee: I've never seen a woodpecker before but it is so beautiful. We have a lot of ducks and geese here in Ontario. They look exactly the same, only the ducks have shorter necks. Our city pays two special dogs and their trainers to make sure the ducks stay out of the parks. The two dogs are so amazing to watch. If they see a person feeding the ducks, the dogs come over to the person and bark like crazy. If the ducks swim too close to shore, the dogs dive in the water and chase them away. Very well-trained dogs but why chase them away? When I was in Coquitlam, I often talked to the ducks but they were rather shy and would not get near. Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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Hi Poet Dancer, I am sure he does. I look so honest, you know.  Lee Live today as if it is your last For tomorrow will soon be in the past
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