Visit our Popular Forums

Sugarfoot · 04-06-2007, 10:41 AM

COOL.

Thanks!

He's such a busy little bird. Thank goodness there are still a few around.

Steve & Susan · 04-06-2007, 02:06 PM

One of his relatives visited my feeder a few days back - didn't have a chance to get his picture though.

I was lucky enough to backpack the length of the AT that runs through the Smoky Mountain National Park a few years back - BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY!!!

Make sure you get up to Clingman's Dome - the view is spectacular!

cooperhawk · 04-06-2007, 02:25 PM

We are fortunate enough to have several pairs of Pileateds nesting around our lake. Did you know that the Wood Duck and the Pileated Woodpecker have a simbiotic relationship? The wood pecker created the holes in the trees for the ducks to nest in. When the woodpeckers declined, so did the wood ducks until concerned citizens started making nesting boxes for them.

We live in a natural bird sanctuary. In the summer we have the Tanangers, orioles, warblers, eagles, and the name sake of our home, the Cooper's Hawk, along with many others.

Boondocker · 04-06-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperhawk

Did you know that the Wood Duck and the Pileated Woodpecker have a simbiotic relationship? The wood pecker created the holes in the trees for the ducks to nest in.

No, I didnt, but I do now. Thanks for the natural history info

HiHoAgRV · 04-09-2007, 09:29 AM

Here is a photo of our stay in Piegon Forge at claybroughs (sp) Campground. It's one of the nicer ones but should give a perspective of how cramped things are in most of the resorts. The next shot speaks for it'self. I hope the photo's make it, never had much luck on the first try.

Sugarfoot · 04-09-2007, 09:36 AM

Nothing quite like an Airstream in your rear view mirror, is there?

tin sista · 04-09-2007, 09:48 AM

Thanks for posting that picture of your campsite, its really helpful to see/hear about other forum members' experiences were at campgrounds!

That photo in the rear view mirror is very nice!

vajeep · 04-09-2007, 01:58 PM

I have never been up to this resort, but I have heard alot about it. Check out the link
LeConte Lodge

maxandgeorgia · 04-09-2007, 01:58 PM

Make sure you get up to Clingman's Dome - the view is spectacular!. . .

On a February drive across the park several years ago, Clingman's Dome had become a crystal wonderland. Every surface, every needle of every tree was thickly encrusted with a glittering frosty rime. I've never seen anything to compare. I'm sure the frost was soon gone, an ephemeral delight that I still cannot believe we were lucky enough to see. The Smokies are so beautiful at any time of year. This thread is making me want to plan a return trip soon. ~G

HiHoAgRV · 04-09-2007, 03:09 PM

Here is a shot of the single reason we went to Smokies National Park. July in MS can get rather uncomfortable. Taken about 2:00pm July 7th at Clingmans Dome, it was in the 90's in Piegon Forge

tin sista · 04-09-2007, 04:16 PM

Wow we are getting psyched, we've not been to Clingman's Dome just yet, but will be going there this trip! Going to try some new waterfall hikes too!
This was the old standby, Laurel Falls, the whole trail is paved so we pushed the baby up in the stroller

Now that he's a big boy we're going to see about a longer trail!

Sugarfoot · 04-09-2007, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vajeep

I have never been up to this resort, but I have heard alot about it. Check out the link
LeConte Lodge

Accessible on foot only, its a great hike. There are a handful of trails leading to it of varying length and difficulty. I haven't been since 2000 and I'm not sure my knees could handle the Alum Cave Trail anymore. The scenery is well worth the effort.

soldiermedic · 04-09-2007, 07:55 PM

Hey Dacia,

Ever catch a red cockaided woodpecker on film?

Just wonderin as they are endangered and all.

Steve

Sugarfoot · 04-09-2007, 08:07 PM

No Steve, can't say that I have. Have you? It would be cool . . .

Actually, I wasn't sure I'd heard of such a bird, so I had to check the web. Guess I learned something today ~ thanks!

markdoane · 04-13-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperhawk

. . Did you know that the Wood Duck and the Pileated Woodpecker have a simbiotic relationship? The wood pecker created the holes in the trees for the ducks to nest in. .

For several years I have been trying to cross a Pileated Woodpecker with a Wood Duck. . . alas with no success.

Does anyone know a sure-fire, garanteed method? I have tried penning them up together, but the males always end up fighting.

Also, does anyone know what the ultimate outcome would be? I'm hoping for a bird with a long sharp bill and webbed feet, not the other way around. I want a bird that can carve out it's own nest, and still be able to float. Also, looks are important. I want it to have the face of a Wood Duck, with a bright red crest like a woodpecker

And I don't want it to look to much like a Kingfisher, we have those already.

If you have pictures, that would help a lot. Then I could probably get a grant from the DNR.

Steve & Susan · 04-13-2007, 09:19 PM

BTW - If you decide to go to Clingman's - take a windbreaker and a sweater - the day we backpacked it, I would have paid BIG money for that 55 degree reading - we went in August and it was 38! Still worth every step though!

Sugarfoot · 05-13-2007, 07:41 PM

Speaking of Clingman's Dome, the Smokies, and photographing wildlife, get a load of this . . .

Click image for larger version

Name: DSCN6216.JPG
Views: 128
Size: 202.1 KB
ID: 37265

This wild turkey was wandering around the parking area at Clingman's Dome this past Friday. If I'm not mistaken, Clingman's is about 2500 feet above the turkey's natural habitat. A case of the accidently misplaced or a strange side affect of global warming? Feeding wildlife is illegal in the park, so I have a hard time believing there is a food payoff in this area for the gobbler hen.

For a brief second I thought maybe 2air had lost his bird.

Anyone who has seen his "turkey decoy ornament" will know what I'm talking about.