It’s been a crazy winter, right? Some parts of our country have seen snow where no snow is expected. Other parts are flooding, or fighting wildfires. I think we’ll all be glad to say goodbye to this winter, and for me, the first true sign that spring is right around the corner is the sound of the red-winged blackbird.
It’s a distinctive cry that I haven’t heard around my house yet this year. Other people, not so far away from me, are hearing them already and have for awhile. My Facebook memories say that it was on this date when I heard them first last year.
Today it’s too windy to hear much of anything here, but yesterday was a beautiful morning and I headed out to Kensington where I almost always find something beautiful or exciting or just fun.
I found all of that in the massive flocks of red-winged blackbirds all screeching for a mate, while flocking to food, hanging on to swaying cattails, or flying up into trees to sing even louder. Their combined sound was almost overwhelming.
But it sure made me smile!
March 11, 2021 at 12:19 pm
I love the call of the Red Winged Blackbird. Beautiful photos.
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March 11, 2021 at 12:26 pm
Thank you!
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March 11, 2021 at 12:21 pm
Your captions made me laugh! Surely this good-looking guy will find a mate.
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March 11, 2021 at 12:26 pm
There were hundreds of good looking guys….there’s going to be some competition.
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March 11, 2021 at 1:44 pm
Won’t be long before they start dive-bombing anyone too close to the nests… Great photos. I haven’t seen any yet, cool that you got a chance to get out and see them for your first real taste of spring.
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March 12, 2021 at 10:27 am
Yep, I remember jogging on our dirt roads through wetlands and ducking to avoid the dive bombing birds.
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March 12, 2021 at 11:08 am
This morning on my walk I saw and heard the red wing blackbirds. They’re back here as well, at least on Cape Cod.
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March 11, 2021 at 2:45 pm
Red-winged blackbirds are stunningly beautiful. I didn’t realize that until I saw your photos. Great shots.
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March 12, 2021 at 10:28 am
They don’t always show that much red and yellow on their wings. Often it’s tucked under, but right now they are being very territorial.
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March 11, 2021 at 6:10 pm
Beautiful pictures! I hadn’t heard of the fires. Wow! In March?
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March 12, 2021 at 10:28 am
No, not March, just this past year.
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March 12, 2021 at 11:03 am
Phew!
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March 11, 2021 at 7:20 pm
We will be happy to see this winter in the rear view mirror. Bye, Felicia!
I thought my bluebirds were just protecting the nesting box just off patio; chasing away other potential tenants. Mr & Mrs B like to “talk” with me while perched mere feet away atop the pergola. This morning I realized that they have already hatched their first brood! Mom & Dad were finding juicy bugs to feed their babies! That always makes me smile. 😊
I’m glad you found your beautiful red winged blackbirds! Thank you for sharing!
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March 12, 2021 at 10:29 am
Wow! Babies already!
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March 11, 2021 at 8:41 pm
You need to sign that poor Romeo on Match.com
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March 12, 2021 at 10:29 am
I think he’s going to do just fine as soon as the ladies arrive.
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March 11, 2021 at 11:39 pm
And I just saw a male here today too! I sure wish the females were as easy to see. They are so … demure in appearance. 🙂 Though I bet they aren’t demure in their attitude.
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March 12, 2021 at 10:29 am
I don’t think the ladies have arrived yet, at least not here. They should be up soon though.
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March 12, 2021 at 12:42 am
Lovely SMILE post!! And they are beautiful birds. Spring is around the corner! YAY!! 🤩
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March 12, 2021 at 10:30 am
Of course, every year we do this, anticipate that spring is RIGHT THERE! And then, at least here in Michigan, it snows a foot.
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March 12, 2021 at 4:59 am
That is a stunning bird – the wing is so vibrant! Lovely captures of it!
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March 12, 2021 at 10:30 am
Thank you. He’s puffed up while he sets his territory. He won’t show so much red and yellow later in the season.
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March 12, 2021 at 6:55 pm
Ooooh, there is yellow as well? and more red appears?!!! Fascinating.
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March 12, 2021 at 7:27 am
Nice shots! Love when you can see the wing bars.
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March 12, 2021 at 10:31 am
I know!
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March 12, 2021 at 8:09 pm
There are some down at the lake and they dive bomb me and squalk! They will be here soon…:)
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March 13, 2021 at 7:03 pm
Saw the first one at my feeder this morning, and heard it across the road at the pond later today.
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March 13, 2021 at 8:21 am
I grew up with these perching on corn stalks. Now, I see them atop cattails, but that wonderful noise is the same!
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March 13, 2021 at 7:06 pm
Such a distinctive sound. I’m always happy to hear it in early spring. Then, of course, they eat everything on my feeder, so after awhile I put out stuff they don’t like so much so the other birds can eat something.
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March 17, 2021 at 5:44 am
When I hear their call I know spring is arriving. Such a welcome sound. Beautiful captures of these beauties!
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