The sound of the rattling call of wuk, wuk, wuk, I can tell that the woodpecker is in the neighborhood. The call starts slow and short; then it progresses to a rapid tone and louder. As it turned out, the Woodpecker is either up on the roof or down below in the garden.
Between the Seagulls, Robins and Crows, the Woodpecker has to compete with these birds. Small as it is and alone, it can scare the competitors just by its territorial call.
I was hoping that it would stay longer so I can enjoy this elusive bird but it stays only for a short while.
Last night, my neighbor reported to me that we have to have a funeral service.
Of course, I don’t particularly become surprised with her mellow dramatic character; I’m used to her performance. When there is death in the building, it’s either a cat, rat, mouse or a dead plant. I normally volunteer to do the service.
“So… what died and where will I find the body? “ I asked.
With so much preamble from her, I basically have to pull it out from her lips what I need to hear. First she has to make an assumption that somebody killed it. Maybe the raccoon did it or maybe a gigantic sewer rat or etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.
As it turned out, her and her husband found the Woodpecker dead underneath the umbrella tree. They are aware that I am very fond of this bird better than their pet crows that they feed every day.
Damn, double damn; not the beautiful bird.
Armed with a spade and hand gloves, I started the service without them. I wanted to be alone with the Woodpecker. I did not to give it a name because once I do, I will become personally attached to it.
The bird is still soft to touch and much more beautiful closer. With its long beak, black and orange color, polka dot speck on white fluff of feathers are stunning. Lifting its weightless body, I laid it on a bed of flowers. Gradually covering it earth, placed rocks on top and more flowers just like being a cemetery. I buried it in my secret garden.
It was all a matter of fact what I just did. It was alive, now it’s dead. Deep down inside, I hope there are no babies somewhere in a hollow of a tree left behind. Now, I am beginning to become dramatic just like my neighbor and if I don’t stop this whole thing, it will make me miserable just by thinking about it. Enough.
So long, Woodpecker. Fly and cross the rainbow. Thank you for being there.
Photographs and Memories 
We seem to have the same job. I often bury dead animals because as they said here, I was elected.
Because you are reliable.
That was so sweet of you, Seeker. Heaven will thank you for that. Bye bye little birdie 😦 Soft Pawkiss.
Just like your Grandma, Blinks. Thank you.
You are so thoughtful Miss P to give it such a beautiful farewell…
Oh Joanne, boo hooo…. 😦
Sad. There was a woodpecker on the tree in our neighbor’s yard. But it was cut down last fall. The woodpecker is gone, too.
Never mind about the bird, the poor tree! Then your area would have lost more than a woodpecker.
Looks like it was a Flicker, one of many types of woodpeckers. We have lots of flickers where we are. It’s good you gave it a proper burial. We give dead critters funerals as well. It’s the least we can do.
Hi Timothy, I Googled it and you are right. It’s a Flicker. Are they common where you live?
They are very common in our area. I see them quite often, but they are a bit difficult to photograph because they like to stay in behind branches. Here’s one of my blogs with a couple of pretty clear shots of a Red Shafted Flicker: http://photoofthedayetc.com/2012/01/03/red-shafted-flicker/
Thank you for the link.
You’re welcome!
I’m sorry! But I like you had your own time with it and were able to enjoy the gift of its presence. If you have not seen another woodpecker, chances are it was one that was blown off track at one point and became attached to the area and so, returns. Because you enjoyed and respected the bird so, I’m glad you buried it in your secret garden so you’ll always have that connection and memories.
Me too! ;( I will be planting a succulent on top of the burial site so that it will be forever decorated. I really enjoyed seeing this bird. Thank you.
They are lovely and talk about amazing and interrsdting! There are several different that make the woods around our house their home. I enjoy them and the sound of their pecking.
I’ve never seen a woodpecker outside of TV before, didn’t even know we had any here in Vancouver :O
Andy, there are at least a couple of woodys around I’ve known in our area. They must have come from North Vancouver.
I will have to look for sure then! there’s only an annoying regular mockingbird in my area every morning, it just heckles all morning long! ugh