I came across this Pileated Woodpecker 5 feet off of the main road driving to Housekeeping Camp which is located in the East end of the valley of Yosemite National Park.

She was working a cedar tree as I drove up, I was so excited to finally see a Pileated Woodpecker in person that I pulled over, parked and followed her to another tree.

She sat a few feet away focused on chipping away at the bark and eating wood boring beetle larvae that I was able to observe her for about ten minutes.

They are the largest of the woodpecker species measuring 16 " in length.

Taken on May 5, 2012 hand held with a 5D MKII 70-200 f/2.8L IS, 1.4 tele extender which explains the closeup video with unsteady movement. This sighting was a spontaneous event and I reacted without the benefit of a tripod

© Copyright 2012 Jerry Gilligan All Rights Reserved

PileatedWoodpeckerYosemiteNationalPark2012