Stunned woodpecker

In the wake of the holidays, serenity has returned to our abode—or is that really just a manifestation of the post-Christmas letdown? This poor Hairy Woodpecker seemed to be afflicted with the latter, and the bird seemed absolutely unsure of which way to turn. I spotted it glued to a beech tree branch, and as I walked closer and closer to the handsome bird, it stayed put. This failure-to-spook when I approach is usually a sign of a bird-eating raptor in the neighborhood, but I never did spot a Sharp-shinned or a Cooper's Hawk intent on snagging a quick meal. Instead, I got the distinct notion that the poor woodpecker was simply too spent to move. I know this feeling, but on the day after Christmas, I was feeling quite happy that the bird was not in harm's way—and that it let me walk in to the absolute focusing limit of my 55–200mm zoom. Perhaps it would be more perky—and wary—tomorrow.