This tree stump (the tallish pock marked one to the right) has been accumulating holes for many years. This winter we have found a piliated woodpecker pounding away on it several times. At first, one notices wood splinters scattered around the base. We also have heard hammering from this general area while walking about (this stump is only 200 yards from our driveway entrance and located next to the snow-machine trail). Finally, we actually saw it at work, pounding furiously.

It remains to be seen if it will return; we are not sure if there is any chance it will be nesting here. While it is perfectly placed for a stake-out, we are not sure if the odds are in our favor for photo opportunities.

Even more amazing: we have found another tree (not a stump) about 20 yards away, on the other side of the trail where another woodpecker has been pounding away (next image). Again, this tree has had several years worth of woodpecker attention but it is actually still alive.