Two days ago I was photographing various spring flowers in our backyard when I saw a big red and black bird in the distance. Unfortunately, I only had a macro lens on my camera! Afraid the bird would fly away if I were to go back inside to get my telephoto lens, I slowly approached the bird, a few steps at a time taking shots until it flew away. The bird was a Pileated Woodpecker, a large bird the size of a crow. It was feasting on insects among the stumps of two pine trees that were blown over in a summer storm several years ago.
This was the first time I saw a Pileated Woodpecker. On the Internet, I found the following question and answer:
What does it mean when you see a Pileated Woodpecker? The woodpecker symbolizes new opportunities, creativity, optimism, courage, motivation, revival, self-actualization, balance, communication, protection, and discernment. This bird is most closely associated with opportunity and new possibilities. It inspires you to seize your desires and never give up on your dreams.
The above answer comes from https://a-z-animals.com.
neihtn 
A very nice catch, Hien. I lived at a place where they nearby, but it was before I started birding, and I have never captured a shot of one. It is a pleasure seeing some of yours!
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Thank you, John! Glad you like these photos!
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Oh this is such a great picture. We have woodpeckers where we live, but I’ve never seen one this big!
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We have some woods in the back of us and sometimes we can hear woodpeckers pounding on the trees in there. I am sure this big woodpecker is one of them!
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That’s amazing!
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It’s n incredible looking chap. I had to look up “Pileated” to find it meant crested. I have never thought o look up the spirital meaning of birds and animal sghtings. I am clearly missing out!
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If you google a word on the Internet, many times that leads to questions and answers that could be very interesting.
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It is always an amazement for me when a pileated woodpecker makes an appearance.
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It was an amazing thing for me too!
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They are quite striking, and what a loud call they have. An auspicious sighting!
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Now that you mention it, I have been hearing loud calls from the woods, but thought the crows were making it.
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Wow, so what is your new opportunity? A real treat when you can find a surprise right in your own backyard.
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It was an unexpected treat, and maybe that was my new opportunity? 😉
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I had no idea woodpeckers come this large! I like the word “pileated.”)
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I was surprised by its size also. Just think of all the insects that it could eat!
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My husband and I went up to the northern Vermont woods today. We could have used an insect-eating bird to protect us from the swarms of black flies. 😉
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Glad you got some great photos. I always look up spiritual meanings, too, of animals and birds I see on my walks.
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Thanks, Katelon! Last week, I also saw a Red Fox, but I didn’t have my camera with me.
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Ah…too bad you didn’t have your camera. Hope the meaning of red fox and the sighting brought good things into your life.
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Amazing birds! Have a good weekend, Hien. 🙂
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You too, Tim! Enjoy the long weekend.
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