Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Red-Winged Blackbird

Well, I decided to go back to the park where I accidentally slid down the hill last winter; the same park where I watched a huge tree fall recently. I wanted to go back not because of those incidents, but because of things like all of the turtles I saw, and other things I haven't had a chance to show you yet. And it's the best place to be all alone.

I went back there expecting nothing. In years past I haven't ever really seen a lot of animals there most of the time. It still sometimes has a magical way of bringing the strangest experiences to me just when I forget how much excitement that place can bring. Like the time six raccoons came after me. Really!!

This time it became a day for birds. I go in there most days without ever seeing any birds up close, but this time they seemed to pop out everywhere I went. When I went to the pond in the back, I was greeted by dozens of red-winged blackbirds. They seemed to be everywhere. Some were flying around. Some were perched in trees, watching me.

 I had to take the opportunity to get some pictures of these birds. I've seen them before back here, so I wasn't very surprised. But I've never seen so many at one time. I knew this would be fun. I had my camera and I was ready for them. But there was only one problem. The sky wasn't exactly cooperating.

Clouds had moved in to make it hard to get good pictures, so I thought I was going to have problems. Luckily I was completely wrong about that. I had something that neutralizes bad light. I hope to explain that one better one day soon, but not quite yet. So as you can see, I did okay with my blackbird pictures.

I guess I like these three pictures the most, but I have plenty of others. I'll probably show some of them pretty soon too. But for tomorrow I going to bring you something that was really confounding me. I found a bird that I really couldn't identify. That's why I started with this red-winged blackbird. Trying to identify the other bird had me searching for two hours before I wrote this. The solution came as a complete surprise and accident. You'll find out tomorrow, and maybe even laugh at me.

In other news, I'm beginning to find a little bit of time again, so I can concentrate more on what I like. Hiking, watching baseball, writing this blog, and reading yours. That's what I call relaxing.

And finally, over at Nature Center Magazine today, Emma has a new Nature Site Of The Week article up. This week's featured nature site is a place called The Jack Mountain Bushcraft Blog. If you haven't heard about bushcraft, or even if you have, go take a look at this; you'll be glad you did. Emma features the best of nature on the internet. You'll like this.

19 comments:

  1. Those are great pictures of red-winged black birds. I watch them at Belle Isle, and my pictures didn't turn out as good.

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  2. Don't you love it when they buzz down at your head when you get too close to their nests. Crazy, rqucous birds; full of life and energy!

    Bill:www.wildramblings.com

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  3. That's my FAVORITE bird, Ratty!! I love how they sing and how the red epaulets on their black feathers stands out. Thanks for sharing this guy with me. :)

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  4. I love those birds. Red winged black bird use to be all over in Missouri. I haven't seen one in years, now on the eastern seaboard.

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  5. Nice shots Ratty! They are not easy to photograph. They nest around here and so are a common sight. I can hear the unique trill of a red-winged black bird even as I write this comment.

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  6. This is a very striking bird...I love it's colouring...thank you so much for sharing these beautiful shots. I really enjoyed the raccoon story too....this is one that was posted before I found your blog so I am very happy you put the link back to the post otherwise I may never have read it!!

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  7. We won't be short of stories when returning to the old places. The same places won't be short of wonders when we return.

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  8. Ratty- the gray trees and sky made a lovely backdrop for the new green leaves and the stark bird. That first shot is stunning!

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  9. nice stuff DM, i mean ratty!
    everyone thinks they need to go to some exotic locale for adventure when really it's all around us in our home places.
    keep up the good work.
    from fellow michigander
    g. zimmerman know-your-place.blogspot.com

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  10. A pleasant surprise after expecting not to seeing anything.

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  11. Great pictures. What a pretty bird that is. I agree with Sharkbytes, first one is stunning

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  12. Ratty,
    This is my first visit to your site, and I like!! :-)
    My wife, Gail, and I have birding sites, so this post is right up our alley! I just sent her your URL so she can check it out.
    LOVE the bird pix! We haven't seen one yet in NC, but we are fairly new here. We are originally from Toledo, Ohio, not too far from your digs!
    I'll be back for sure!
    Since you're on blogspot, this comment will leave the avatar connected to my personal blog. But feel free to stop by our birding blogs at http://forthebirds.me.

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  13. Nice shots Ratty, the Red-winged blackbird is a beauty. I saw one a few days ago but he refused to come out of the bushes, yours was far more cooperative.

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  14. These birds are my favorites. They herald spring here in our area, they look so snappy with their red epaulets, and I love their cheery little song. Nice photos!!

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  15. I love the flash of red and yellow when they fly..we have a group of about 50 that visit our bird feeders every day now...seriously...a ton of them!! But I think they are pretty.

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  16. Beautiful shots of the red-winged blackbird. So pretty.

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  17. Yet another bird I've never seen through the window of my southern California kitty perch! I'm beginning to feel deprived.

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  18. I don't see those here but he is very sleek looking. Fantastic shots.

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  19. These are wonderful captures of the Blackbird.

    Now I know what a blackbird is, thank you.

    I don't know birds names, but I see many so it's wonderful to connect the name with the visual picture.

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