A Pleasant Surprise: Pileated Woodpeckers

 ​After working for a long day, I decided to relax and take a walk in Brightwood Park.  After passing the pond junction, I heard a banging noise like someone tearing down a house.  Instinctively I scanned across the dense woods, and found a pileated woodpecker couple (red mustache is the ID of a male) working hard by checking up from one tree to the other for food.   

Aiming and focusing was quite a challenge when I tried to take photos of them.  Luckily, in one of the photos I seemed to catch the moment of one bird extending the tongue to lick food from a tree.

​After the woodpeckers flew away, I continued my walk towards the dam.  A  handsome bullfrog was posing on a log and waiting for photographers.  The creature allowed me to take photos from several angles, and was very calm even when I approached within 3 feet of distance.  When I moved on I encountered another model, this time a cute chipmunk.  The little one let me take a few shots and started to wiggle.  I guess the fellow needed a bathroom break.  I waved and the fellow disappeared in less than a second.