Pileated woodpecker.

Sunlight screamed down across our whitened landscape. Crows screamed from the oaks. And a cardinal sang sweetly from somewhere in the neighbor’s back yard. After so much snow and such chilly temperatures, a day in the 20s (F) with still air and a riot of sunshine seemed positively springlike. Jack and I could hardly wait to hike Beech Hill.

Snowy hillside.

I was somewhat surprised to find no other cars in the lot when we pulled in at mid-afternoon. Mulled over the possibility of leaving my winter coat in the pickup—but decided to go ahead and wear it. No gloves, though. Or hood. Did pull on snowshoes.

And while I was pulling on snowshoes, as Jack waited in the truck, I heard the high, thin notes of a golden-crowned kinglet. I paused before tightening my right shoe, stood, listened. The bird was close but I couldn’t find it. I looked up and tipped my head, listening. And heard, suddenly, the loud, percussive notes of a pileated woodpecker near the road.

Well, that diverted my attention. It sounded like the big woodpecker’s call came from across Beech Hill Road, but then its voice sounded even nearer—and I spotted its jerky ascent up the trunk of an old tree just across the parking lot. Although it was directly between the setting sun and me, I tried for a few photos. It stopped and seemed to look directly at me. Then it flew, to my left, into the big dead conifer right at the head of the lot, even closer. Most impressive to me—aside from being about as near a pileated as I’ve ever been—was the sound its wings made: a sort of steely whistle. I’d never heard that wing-sound before.

Cloud.

Snapped of a bunch more photos. Then it took flight again (its wings again making metallic-sounding whistles) off to the northwest. I didn’t see it again.

I tightened my right snoeshow, then, and we proceeded to hike the hill. A still, bracingly cold day. A great hike, over sweet snow, with firm footing. The unblemished slopes spread white and pure down to the south. A solitary cloud hovered in the northen sky above the hill. We were the first to circle the gigantic snowdrift that’d formed to the east of the ring of rugosa in front of Beech Nut. No other birds up there that I could see or hear—but I’d seen/heard plenty down below.

I like that I live in the company of pileated woodpeckers.

Tonight has a ceiling of faint, flickering stars, and the air is nearly still.

Beech Hill List
Beginning at 2:30 p.m., I hiked the open trail.

1. Golden-crowned kinglet (voice)
2. Pileated woodpecker

Elsewhere

3. American crow
4. Northern cardinal
5. House sparrow

Beech Nut.