Male Red-winged Blackbird perched in front of a ranch pond – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I photographed this male Red-winged Blackbird in front of a ranch pond two days ago when it felt like spring in northern Utah. This morning there is snow on the ground. Winter has returned to where I live and the outside temps are below freezing.
Warmer temps will prevail and spring will return but for now I think I will stay inside and keep warm. We needed the moisture this storm has provided but as usual this storm is too little, too late. We are still in a drought.
Of course I am concerned about the birds that have already nested who may be incubating eggs or have chicks that have hatched already. I also worry about the insect eating birds that have just arrived on spring migration not having bugs to eat.
This spring snow storm is part of nature. The strong will survive.
An alternate title for this image could be “Black & Blue” because that is what I see when I glance at this image of a blackbird in front of the water of a ranch pond. The sun was still low enough for me to capture nice details in the dark plumage of the male blackbird. He must have been poking his bill into the mud around the pond because his bill is pretty dirty.
I hope this blackbird is somewhere where he is protected from the wind and snow this morning.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-winged Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.
Spring can be a fickle beast. I share your hope for the other living things and hope that they can stay warm and find food.
I am awake thinking about all of these things, as well. Every little bit helps, but we have so far to go with water. The cold is more intense up north, and I know of three burrowing owl and three GHO nests. I hope they can all stay protected this week.
Suzanne, I hope all the nests, eggs, and young can stay protected this week too. Also the flowering plants, trees and shrubs that are blooming, we need those too.