CHASING YOUR WOODPECKER

Almost beyond description is how I characterize the sound. Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom that resonates down the hills like a jackhammer. It calls me to come and find its source but the hills are steep and the trees are so thick at the top, only the pounding of beak on wood is heard, no visuals. There is a pause and another series of booms and then a shriek from what sounds like a bird from the central heart of Africa. As a natural history filmmaker I know that sound is half the picture in wildlife filmmaking but it’s been months since we moved here and I have yet to see this huge elusive bird. I cannot make a movie with only sounds!

Listen to the Woodpecker sounds:

So I set out, AGAIN, camera and big fuzzy microphone in one hand, tripod in another, backpack with the telephoto lens and water strapped around my neck, hiking boots, hat, long sleeves everything I head up the hill between ravines. Our property is covered in bay oak, madrone and redwood trees. One large tree survived the 1880’s redwood harvest and is ancient, really big with branches that spread out at the top like tree trunks. It’s near this ancient tree that I hear a flip of wings, a shriek and once again, the bird is gone. I read my woodpecker is know as the pileated woodpecker and has a feeding range of 150 to 200 acres and they fly in pairs; only passing through a day or two a month.

Then way across the ravine to a place where I cannot walk I finally see my bird. The creature is feeding more than 100 feet up in decomposing tree. Its head is banging, bark is flying and insects are departing the tree and swarming the predator. I see my goal but it is too far away to capture a great shot.

I head back down the hill and call it a day. I find some consolation in knowing that my bird does exist; it’s not just a crazy neighbor banging a hollow tree and shrieking!

The next day came and my wife and I went out to walk the dogs and I had to throw her one of the leashes and run to the studio to grab my video equipment. LUCKILY, the bird came to me for a change, right in our front yard. I could walk up with equipment in shorts and flip-flops. High in the tree I saw a bird turning, Booming and feeding clear as day. I shot so much material that I was content and I walked my gear back to my studio but as I was walking the bird followed me and landed in a tree right next to the door. The bird was so close that I could not fit all of its body in the shot with my telephoto lens.

Sometimes the goals you seek are hard to reach and seem almost impossible and then one day with some luck everything is ready to go, your goal is right in front of you and Boom!

ARE YOU READY FOR YOUR WOODPECKER?