The Woodpecker at Work

A fulvous-breasted woodpecker clings vertically to a tree trunk, red crown blazing, black-and-white barred wings pinned to the bark. Poised mid-climb in classic woodpecker style. Fun fact: A woodpecker's skull is built like a crash helmet, with spongy bone and a wrap-around tongue that cushion the brain as it hammers up to 20 times a second — and stiff tail feathers prop it against the trunk like a third leg.