This Pileated Woodpecker Dad is teaching his daughter about life, but particularly food sources. Image taken today in my own yard near Rich’s Bar and Grill … Serving Fine Suet Cakes since 2010 (outdoor seating only). Fermented berries will be on the menu soon, but remember, don’t drink and fly!

My customers are awaiting real suet chunks … chopped from the finest Argentinian beef. Today’s high here in the Northland was about 68F. When we stay below 50F this item may get added to the menu. Yogi is quite happy when this item appears.

Note: Male Pileated Woodpeckers have a full scarlet crest and mustache.

Due to a minor medical procedure which involved getting some stitches, and not wanting to have the sutures pull out I skipped yesterday’s bicycle ride. The net effect was I had an extra few hours in the day … the joys of being retired! I decided I should spend quality time with Hoot, and thankfully she agreed.

Throughout the day I hiked over to my owling grounds, where two of the juvenile Great Horned Owls had been hanging out. Extensive off trail hiking and research a few days earlier had discovered lots of whitewash under certain trees (no owls on those hikes). When I checked those same trees yesterday morning and afternoon, jackpot!

Hoot on the Hunt at Sunrise (I dare you to walk under her tree)

Sleepy Time for Tired Owls

Hoot’s Brother Deep in a Pine Grove in the Late Afternoon

Crows! (The Great Horned Owl never got discovered! I think the crows were attacking one of the other siblings. You will also hear a lot of nuthatches in the videos. They knew where Hoot was perched! (email subscribers: video link 1 | video link 2).