Acorn woodpeckers have always struck me as the clowns of Southern Arizona’s Sky Islands. They’re absurdly vocal, funny-looking, and have really interesting social dynamics! Large family groups will occupy a territory, working collectively to fend off invaders and protect their precious caches of acorns which are stashed in the trunks of dead trees. The woodpeckers will bore a single hole per acorn that requires housing, resulting in the tree becoming downright covering with these small cavities. This shot was snapped right after two others had flown from the perch. Chiricahua Mountains, AZ.