I dug way back into my files this morning to share this urban Red-winged Blackbird male singing. The date was February 23, 2014, the location was my local pond. It’s hard for me to believe this image was taken ten years ago.
Urban Red-winged Blackbird male singing on a cattail – Nikon D300, tripod mounted, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
My gear was different back then, including my camera model and lens. However, my tripod and tripod head remain the same. I’m definitely glad I invested in a sturdy tripod!
As I recall, it was a bright winter morning with a hint of spring in the air. The grackles and blackbirds in the area were singing as if winter had already left the valley.
When I walked around the edge of the pond, I found this male Red-winged Blackbird perched on a cattail. I hoped that he would sing while I had him in my viewfinder. He obliged my wishes by singing in front of me. I don’t recall if there were any female blackbirds in the area, but he sang his heart out for a few seconds.
Though it may appear that the sky with clouds was behind this male blackbird, it was, in fact, the pond’s surface.
Red-winged Blackbirds are year-round residents here in the Salt Lake Valley, and I feel fortunate to have photographed them every month of the year. Their behavior does change as spring approaches when the males starting to sing and display.
It already feels like spring here at home. The blackbirds have been singing for weeks now. It won’t be long before spring migration begins in earnest and amazes me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-winged Blackbird photos plus facts and information about this species.