As I walked out the door this morning, arms overflowing with handbag, coffee, water bottle, lunch, day planner, and camera over my shoulder (yes, I could use a tote), a large black bird swooped out of the fir tree and flew straight at me. I think he was as startled as I, because once he spied me, he veered off landing on this small birch.

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It was then I realized it was a pileated woodpecker. I managed to fumble everything into the car and snatch up my camera and snap these shots before he flew out of sight. A first sighting at Downeast Thunder Farm!

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