The Guardian

Seeing a Lewis’s woodpecker had always been a dream of mine. There’s something about their unexpected colours and unique behaviour that makes them feel almost like a hidden treasure of the forest.

Last spring, during the Wings Over the Rockies Festival, that dream quietly came to life.

We were out on the Birding by Golf Cart Tour early one morning, moving slowly through the landscape, when we came across an old, weathered tree standing alone. At first glance, it didn’t seem like much… but then we noticed him.

Perched high on the remains of that old trunk was this stunning Lewis’s woodpecker, basking in the soft morning light. His rosy pink breast and iridescent green wings shimmered with every subtle movement. And below him, tucked safely inside a hollowed cavity of the rotting tree, was his mate - nestled deep within, hidden but protected.

It quickly became clear what we were witnessing. He wasn’t there to feed or forage. He was there to guard.

The male sat watchfully at the top of the tree like a sentinel, scanning the surroundings with quiet determination. Every so often, he would shift slightly, but never strayed far. His role was clear - to protect the nesting site, his partner, and the new life soon to emerge.

Lewis’s woodpeckers are fascinating in their own right. Unlike most woodpeckers, they often behave more like flycatchers, darting out from their perch to catch insects midair before returning to their lookout. But on this particular morning, there was no urgency to hunt. His focus was unwavering.

We stood there in silence, watching this quiet moment unfold - this beautiful balance of trust, instinct, and devotion.

Moments like this remind us that even in the smallest corners of nature, there are powerful stories unfolding - stories of protection, partnership, and the deep, unspoken rhythms that keep the wild in perfect harmony.

- Stan Masters

To download The Story of "The Guardian" CLICK HERE