@artscaping, and all....Wow! I love this bird. They are almost embarrassing me, Chris. So dear...I don't have pilated woodys, but have lots of downy and red-breasted, I think. 2 different kinds, several pairs, and some young ones.

I've started a fight among the squirrel family. I must have 5-6 squirrels who have fun on my patio and have always won our constant battle. Last week, the night before surgery, I rearranged the feeders after cleaning and filling. I added a couple of baffels, that work! Put peanuts in a couple of wire tube feeders where the squirrels can get to them. all the feeders I put in higher, lower, or farther down the limbs from the trunk, so they can't reach. I had to use a ladder to do this and be very careful, but did it and it worked.

One clever stubborn male learned to jump up from a large planter and land on the tray, missed once, but was ok. I've solved that now and he can't get to anything except the 2 peanut tubes and 2 large cages for woodpecker seed or suet. Now, he's an angry male! If another squirrel gets near a limb with the peanuts or cages, he attacks from afar, very intent on protecting his territory. The chases can be long and can end in a fight. One squirrel has several large lumps on his side, may have cancer or whatever. Another had a gash on her side. Both seem ok I suppose, but they are having a serious spat.

Everyone seems happy otherwise. Chic-a-dee numbers have grown, w/several little ones, not as many cardinal families for some reason, no blue-jay forever, haven't seen as many house finch either. I think since I got behind on cleaning and filling, they were going to other feeders, so I have to do a better job of keeping it all full.

I moved my 2 bird-baths into the sun so the new solar fountains will work. Love it. so do the birds. They seem to like the moving water.

Mosquitos? Gone! I have solar powered zapper that really worked well, and 2 zapper walkway lights I just put out. I also have one electric zapper downstairs in the kitchen and smile and giggle every time I hear it 'zzzzzzappppp'. several times in the evening, I have a smaller one upstairs in my BR with a nice blue light. Haven't had a bite since!

So, I think I may have won that battle. Still have standing water and always will. I can't help that. But, I now welcome those nasty biters to my patio for their final moments!!!!!

Rest well, my friends. Blessings to all. elizabeth

Wow, Chris!! Those are great shots!! Hard enough to get one pileated in the picture, let alone two!! Really special! 💕