June, 2023

In the heart of spring, we set out to photograph the chicks of a Great Spotted Woodpecker. The forest was alive with new growth, and the air was filled with the scents and sounds of the season. We located several nests simply by listening to the noise of the little chicks. Initially, we could only hear their faint, high-pitched calls, but as they grew, they began to peek out from the nest holes. Their begging calls grew louder each day, echoing through the forest and guiding us to their hidden homes.

For five days, we visited the nests, watching the dedicated parents tirelessly feed their brood. The chicks' heads would pop out, their beaks open wide, eagerly awaiting the next meal.

Each visit brought new excitement as we observed their rapid growth and increasing boldness.

Both parents feed the chicks and keep the nest clean.

By June 2nd, most of the nests were silent—the chicks had fledged, leaving their nests empty and the surrounding woods quieter. It was a bittersweet moment, knowing we had witnessed a crucial stage in their development but also realizing our daily visits had come to an end. This gave us more time to spend photographing the local foxes, another rewarding pursuit.

Portrait of a cute red fox cub sitting in a forestClose-up of a cute red fox cub sitting in a forest. Portrait of a red fox cub in a meadowClose-up of a red fox cub in a meadow.

Portrait of a red fox standing on a tree in a forest at nightClose-up of a red fox standing on a tree in a forest at night The following year, with the memory of our previous adventure fresh in our minds, we returned to check the old nest locations. As expected, they were empty. Old nests are rarely reused by Great Spotted Woodpeckers. Despite the empty nests, the forest was just as vibrant, filled with the promise of new life.

Each spring, we eagerly await the woodpecker chicks' calls, a signal that life is thriving once again in the forest.