A pileated woodpecker visited my hanging suet block this morning. I had
never seen one in my backyard before. My first thought upon catching
sight of his huge, black back was "vulture," but then I saw the
unmistakable profile, white head and red crown. Exciting!

Usually the resident flickers monopolize that feeding station. They share
it grudgingly with a shy downy and the usual small birds, such as chickadees
and juncos.

I had to replace the simple suet block cage with a cage-in-a-barrel, to
discourage crows and starlings.

Laura Friend
Newcastle, Washington (it's West of Issaquah)
lcf at u.washington.edu