Knock on Wood

Downey Woodpeckers know where the Loot is stashed... 

They are flitting about at daybreak... wearing a Robe of 

black and white with a most fashionable Red Hood.  

The energy they expend is unbelievable to defend 

their territory.  They scare the Cardinals  dining on 

sunflower seeds.  Meanwhile I am sipping my first 

Cuppa Coffee... planning a Party later in the day.   

Well... off to my duties of the day... and away to 

chat with other feathered friends who fly around 

looking for mischievous pranks to play...  I button my 

Robe and wish that Winter would blow away all 

riffraff from my backyard deck where Blue Jays 

attack the sparrows who need a bird snack... 

My friend "Woody" will never know... 

the Treasure he seeks in right under his Beek...   

Merry  Christmas and Noel... Happy Pecking... 

 

Reviews

[Cherrie]

I love the informal peek into your yard and day.
I write like sometimes, a blending of events to do and things I see. I find these poetic journaling very relaxing (to write and to read). We have several types of Woodpeckers living in the yard. The funny thing is in the summer the Woodpeckers and Blue Jays keep to the front yard ( if indeed I have a front yard) and in the winter they visit our back yard feeder. The dynamic birds can entertain me all year. I loved your poem I could see it all.

[Patricia Wedel]

Cherrie dear... we have lived in his Bird sanctuary three years. This early Winter is the first time we have seen such large Fat Blue Jays... usually four or so at a time. They are lavishly hungry and very intent to eat a lot of seed. Odd... we usually see smaller Blue Jays in the warmer months. Love the wee sparrows who have no fear. Thanks for your charming visit. Merry Christmas. tenderly, Pat

[Samuel Dickens]

Like you, I love to bird watch. Something about it just draws me in and I get excited to see a new species arrive on the scene. Too bad those beautiful Blue Jays are such jerks! I'll never forget when I was about nine, venturing out with my first b-b gun. I HAD to shoot something, right? Well, I shot a woodpecker. As it lay dying, my heart just broke. Never again did I shoot at one. And nowadays, there doesn't seem to be a lot of them. May they all seek the safety of your back yard, and stay far away from boys with b-b guns. (The same goes for all the others, robins, sparrows, cardinals, etc)

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Samuel... many young boys and girls have been careless with BB guns. So sweet of you to feel our Yard is Safe. Of course I have no Control over other Predators that could appear. It is dangerous for us to be on the Highway. Wishing you a Christmas full of Joy and Silver 🔔 Bells. tenderly, Pat

[Stella Armour]

Almost the same thing that i do in the mornings and did write about at one time , but i drink tea and the birds are different yet they get up to the same antics lol.
We have pigeoins , magpies, sparrows , blackbirds and such , but all as cheeky as birds the worls over ... i suppose like people who have different coloured skin birds just have different coloured feathers.

[John the Baptist]

A glance at nature here that provides some interesting insights. The woodpeckers are fiercely territorial, ready at a moment's notice, to drive the cardinals off, while the "riffraff" Blue Jays harass the sparrows, who just want a bite to eat. I wonder if we learned these behaviors from the birds. I also wonder if they learned them from us.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear John... it seems that the Birds are very observing of our every move... some are more trusting than others. I know I learn many things from the Birds... so perhaps they do learn bit of "trust" from us, especially when I keep high quality Seeds for them on the Ledge of our Old backyard Deck out the large Kitchen Window. Some years different Breeds of Birds also appear. It is a mystery... especially when a gorgeous Owl appeared one day, but I did not see him or her eat Seed. The Owl just sat there and looked at me as I looked out the Window. Thank you for your awesome review. gently, Pat

[barleygirl]

Clearly there's a big feathery bash going on at your house, probably for the entire winter, not just this afternoon! *wink! wink!* I love the distinctive look of the many woodpeckers around here & you've penned a tribute to their fashion better than anyone has! The peckers are SO vigilant & energetic about defending, as you say, even divebombing squirrels on their way up the telephone pole out front that's pocked & pumped full of acorns fresh from the autumn harvest. You've captures my favorite scenarios, witnessed as I putter in my garden. I love your title & calling your friend "Woody" as your robe flaps in the breeze, adding a touch of the sensual (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

In case I go zooming off on a holiday meditation lasting a week, I don't want to neglect to say how much your friendship has been a gift to me, all year long. I look forward to much more sharing as we head into the year of the ox. Going from year of the rat to year of the ox, how can we not go forth with a sense of confidence? *smile*

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Margie... you really made my day at three pm our time in Virginia. Wishing you the Best this Christmas Season. Love that You and I share Red Headed Woodpeckers and their Antics. They have quite a History through the Ages... I do Not Believe most of the History in the dark ages... just sayin. They are so bright and Dportin like. I read on Google that the females look the same as the male... interesting ... as Burl Ives would sing... Have a Jolly Holly Christmas this Year. Hugs, Pat 🌲 🔔

[barleygirl]

Some may consider our current times "the dark ages" but I read a report saying the wild creatures are actually benefiting & bouncing back becuz so many humans have been sequestered all year, not out there mucking up the natural environment! Gotta love it!

[Patricia Wedel]

Margie dear... it is a Miracle that Roger and myself have survived so far (Knock on Wood); but we have so far. We rest a lot and eat fairly well. Roger takes dialysis three days a week for four years now. Life is precious and we do not take it for granted. Lovely to have you for a friend. You are a child of His Care.
Love and prayers, Pat

[Lydia Shutter]

You are a true bird lover, Pat! It is wonderful you have bird feeders in your yard and that you can see the birds feasting on the treats you leave them from the comfort of your home....where it is nice and warm! I enjoyed the imagery in this one. Lydi**

[Coyote Poetry]

A wonderful poem. I never seen a woodpecker. Maybe not common in Michigan.
"My friend "Woody" will never know...
the Treasure he seeks in right under his Beek...
Merry Christmas and Noel... Happy Pecking.."
I did like the above lines dear Pat. Thank you for sharing the amazing poetry. Merry Christmas my dear friend.
Coyote

[Patricia Wedel]

dear John... This morning I discovered a beautiful photo of a Red headed Woodpecker and posted it to my Poem. Now you can see how Stunning they are. They could be a James Bind in an Avian Movie. Thank you for your awesome review. Have a Merriest Christmas 🎄 with your Grands.
💕 love and Silver 🔔 Bells, Pat

[Patricia Wedel]

Handsome Woodpeckers could be a James Bond in an Avian Movie.

[Coyote Poetry]

He could dear Pat and Merry Christmas my friend.

[emmajoy]

Hello, waving towards you, dear petal!

Has your looking at your wonderful collection of birds now (and over the years) made you think of them as having human traits? Seems each type could remind a watcher of a Manlike being: e.g. warlike and greedy; some bonny and bustling; others ready to stand back patiently; and then yet another species, full of seemingly elegant self.importance? And of course, there are dozens of well behaved ornery and unpretentious darlings. You seem to find them fascinating and describe them with such humour and fascination and you show the real lovely you you are ~ a tap tap charming knocker on wood, the taker of chance and front stage! Happy Everything to you, Roger and family of big and small fledglings!

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Em... you are a Philosopher such as Aristotle... quaint and modern with feathery feelings. Amazing how birds survive; perhaps God is their Physician in the Sky.
💕 love and Merriest of Christmas. Petal x

[Betty Hermelee]

A lovely comment on Wood peckers and other fine feathered friends. Vivid images make this a fine pecking poem. Love it. Yours, Betty

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Betty... your review is a playful response to a light-hearted poem... we do have a “pecking order... at least we did at one time; however I prefer to be free as a bird and not worry about protocol. Thanks for stopping by. Merriest of Christmas. tenderly, Pat

[Betty Hermelee]

Merry Christmas to you , and a happy ,healthy New Year as well🙏

[Lorry]

And tomorrow, the movie playing outside your window will change to yet another episode, but who will be taking centre stage... You gotta watch it live to find out. So have that coffee ready and your chair pulled out, ready for the further adventures of birds 😊

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Lorry... “front and centre” ballerina birds with tu tu’s and dancing 💃 to Tsycowski ... (a famous avian composer).
No popcorn in my home theatre... only Caviare and the finest 🍷 wine and chocolate for me. I will make you a Cup of
fresh French Coffee. ( you have encouraged me to be so elegant) be safe and have a Merry Kissmet... gently, Pat

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Pat, I love to hear the news about what our avian friends are up to in your garden. Those pesky blue jays are certainly the bully boys. Today I am going to feed the swans because I have heard they are in danger of starving, so Robbie and I will take a detour to do this, before doing some Christmas shopping. Sending you and your all good wishes across the waves.

Cbris

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Chris... how sweet of you and Robbie to feed the Swans... Roger’s sister Priscilla gave us an Oil Painting of Autumn trees with a lovely white Swan floating in a Lake ... that she herself painted and let it dry to mail to us by UPS.. about a Year ago.
We would not want our Beautiful Swans to be extinct. Our Avian friends have so much Feelings as they care for their own. I know they appreciate the seed and nourishment we give them. Hope your days are full of Joy and the Merriest of times. With 💕 and blessings, Pat