Pileated emergency departure

During this evening’s feeding, the female started frantically calling "wok wok wok" in the distance. The little ones immediately ducked their heads into the nest and the male made this unusual--and spectacular--departure.

IMAGE LINK: https://www.flickr.com …94438230@N07/14​169395677/

Great shot! Fantastic expression too. He does look worried maybe a predator was spotted.

Good shot and interesting behavioral story.

Great shot. Ever find out what the female Pileated's emergency was ?

Excellent capture...Did they return?

And you were there to catch the action, Great job Barry.

Man that is awesome, what a moment to have captured, gotta know though, is the family ok?

Curious minds want to know, is everyone okay? Great shot, his wing kind of looks like a piano!

Yeah great image Barry but we need the scoop on whatq happened next!

Stop keeping everyone in suspense, Barry

butterfly2937 wrote in post #16954657
Great shot! Fantastic expression too. He does look worried maybe a predator was spotted.

Thanks Carol. It's quite amazing to see how their crest/crown feathers change with their reactions.

ldn323 wrote in post #16954706
Good shot and interesting behavioral story.

Thanks Lihn. It has been fascinating to witness many different behaviors I've never before seen.

Lesmore wrote in post #16954731
Great shot. Ever find out what the female Pileated's emergency was ?

Thanks, Lesmore. No, I never heard any more commotion. Plus I left after this in case I was the "danger" sighted.

rrblint wrote in post #16954786
Excellent capture...Did they return?

Thank you Mark. I certainly hope so but I haven't been back up yet today.

Pondrader wrote in post #16954981
And you were thee to catch the action, Great job Barry.

Thanks a lot, Jeff. I got home late yesterday and almost didn't hike up since it's so dark and their activity level seems to drop off by that time. I'm glad I did.

Oldjackssparrows wrote in post #16955019
Man that is awesome, what a moment to have captured, gotta know though, is the family ok?

Thank you very much Bret. It was quite a sight. The babies were fine when I left and I haven’t hiked back up today yet. To me, it sounded like a warning call but hey, a lot of their wild jungle-like calls sound like warning calls. As skittish as they are I hope it was a false alarm.

SJC from VT wrote in post #16955083
Curious minds want to know, is everyone okay? Great shot, his wing kind of looks like a piano!

Thanks Sandy. Regarding the wing, a couple of days ago I found a feather on the path up to the nest and suspected it was from one of the adults. After seeing this shot I know it was. It does look like a piano keyboard doesn't it.

Grizz wrote in post #16955085
Yeah great image Barry but we need the scoop on whatq happened next!

Thanks Craig. Dang I didn't mean to put everyone on the edge of their seats! I'm hoping to provide a good report this afternoon.

ardeekay wrote in post #16955265
Stop keeping everyone in suspense, Barry

Hahah Rog. I usually hike up at 4:00 and stay for a couple hours so I'll let you know tonight. I know they have predators, but to watch these guys at feeding time and see how agressive--I would say almost vicious--it becomes, it would be surprising if anything messes with them.

Great shot Barry! Hope all's well at the 'homestead'...

Awesome,thanks for updating us on the story also.

CMOats wrote in post #16955556
Great shot Barry! Hope all's well at the 'homestead'...

Thanks Cheryl.

HogansHeroes wrote in post #16955635
Awesome,thanks for updating us on the story also.

Thank you HogansHeroes.

Update:
I hiked up to the nest this afternoon and was thrilled to see all four family members alive and well. Evidently last nights warning cries were a false alarm. Yay!!!
Thank you all for your comments and interest in the well being of these stunning creatures.

What a neat shot of that wingspread! Great shot Barry.