Nature, Red in Beak and Claw

Hunting inside the woods yesterday, I came across this little scene.  A hawk, no doubt a red tail, nailed either a hairy or a downy woodpecker, and then plucked it clean on the log.  Feather identification made species identification a bit easier, below.

Within a few yards were numerous woodpecker holes. The one, immediately below, is from a downy or hairy woodpecker, the large mortise-cut below that is the trademark work of a pileated woodpecker.

As for the woodpecker feathers, I have a few saved for a friend who is a fly-tier.  This bird's death will neither be anonymous nor useless.

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