Saturday, May 30, 2026

Stalking the Red Winged Blackbird


John told me that there were red-winged blackbirds down at the pond--a bird I've not heretofore seen on our place. So yesterday afternoon we took a bottle of bubbly down  to the pond and settled in to enjoy the place and to get some photos.


There are worse places to wait . . .


And after a while, the female showed up. She looks like a big sparrow--good camouflage for someone who nests in the cattails low to the ground.


Meanwhile the male was elusive--flitting from tree to tree and once swooping close to check us out--but I wasn't quick enough with the camera to capture him.


Finally he settled on a cattail and gave us a good view of his handsome epaulets.


Another time, I'll try for the bluebirds that I've seen at this nest box when I'm driving in or out.






 

7 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

I also got a photo of sorts, but not as good as yours, this year. It felt good.

Barbara Rogers said...

I think I've even heard their call, but don't remember it now. They are great springtime workers!

Sandra Parshall said...

Lovely! We see an occasional red winged blackbird in our yard, and I'm always pleased with the sighting, but our built-up suburb is not their habitat of choice. I hope yours nest and produce some chicks.

Vicki Lane said...

We think there are two pair and at least one nest.

Anonymous said...

I love their call…”boodle-dee-DDEEEEEEE dum!

Cindy white said...

I love their call…Boodle-Dee-DEEEEEEEE- dum!

jennyfreckles said...

A striking bird, at least the male is. We don't have them here in UK.