A visit from Woody

Do you remember the Woody the Woodpecker cartoons? I certainly do so it was a thrill to get a visit from old Woody himself today. 

Actually this beauty is a pileated woodpecker and according to the Cornel Lab of Ornithology it is "one of the biggest, most striking forest birds on the continent. It’s nearly the size of a crow, black with bold white stripes down the neck and a flaming-red crest. Listen for Pileated Woodpeckers whacking at dead trees and fallen logs in search of their main prey, carpenter ants, leaving unique rectangular holes in the wood."

Well, Woody here was whacking on one of the trees in my front yard and hopefully he found a tidbit to eat before a mockingbird started dive bombing and chased it away. 
In case you want to reminisce... give a listen here. I've been whistling it all afternoon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PWcc3y_NlY

Everyone on their post

There are several large pilings that mark the line between our vehicular traffic beach and that which is designated a natural habitat area where no vehicles are allowed. Occasionally you will see a gull perched on one of the pilings. However, this morning each one of the giant pilings had it own very sentry... Royal Tern sentries, in fact.

Silly but I thought it made an interesting display on such a picture perfect day.

(Again, you can click on the photo to make it large enough to see the detail.)

Perfect beginning

The sunrise was spectacular, the waves were inviting and it was a perfect 70º with a gentle breeze. Was I grateful to be able to savor every second of this? You bet I was! 

Since I can't share it ALL, I can at least share this photo of the sun and the waves. Enjoy!