Pileated Woodpecker

Here is the first and only time I have come across a Pileated Woodpecker in the wild. We were in the Smokie Mountains and we were on a motor drive through Cades Cove a very well known area for seeing wildlife. We saw a lot of deer many birds and a bear but I was most excited about the Pileated Woodpecker. I have seen many deer and I have seen bear before but this was the first time for a Pileated Woodpecker. I was able to get within 5 feet of these guys and they never seemed to notice me. When I left we drove past them and we were within 4 feet of them with our car and they never budged. I hope to go back to the park again in the future but I doubt that I will get another chance as good as this one to see them.

Photoman