I apologize for the poor pictures. I finally relented and put the screen back in the living room window. This makes photographing birds at the feeder less than ideal.

This was a first for me. Mama Downy Woodpecker brought her youngster to the suet feeder.

She grabbed a beak full of suet and then hopped her way down the pole to the baby and fed her.

She did this over and over for about five to ten minutes before I managed to spook baby and she flew off into the woods.

Tonight Papa Downy brought baby to the feeder and did the same thing. I’m not sure why, but it always warms my heart to see critters being good parents!

I’m glad I ignored the threat of bears and left the suet feeder out this summer – it’s been a treat to watch the woodpeckers visit.

Although Hannah and I did have a bit of a run in with a bear yesterday – so I know they’re out there! We narrowly missed hitting a big ass black bear (and I mean BIG) as it ran in front of the car as we cruised down the road at 55mph. I’m lucky I didn’t lose my ice cream cone with the way Hannah had to hit the brakes.