Sunday, February 22, 2009

Painting the Town Red!!!

Check it out all!!! The red winged blackbirds are back!! What I find very odd is that I was out birding all day yesterday and didn't hear one at all. This morning I go to the wetlands across the street from me and all I could hear were blackbirds. How I missed that sound. I sat there for about 20 minutes just listening to them and their call. The funny thing was that I couldn't see them. I was lucky to get the couple of photos that I did. The one above was so far away I had to zoom to full capacity which made the photo a little fuzzy unfortunately. Have no fear though, in two more weeks I will get fantastic photos because we get dozens of them in my area. I am hoping they discover my feeders for better photos!
A lone male cardinal. I have not had the opportunity to take a decent cardinal photo with my new camera. They have been extremely skittish this year and have impeccable hearing. Once I get close enough for a photo, off they fly!

Finally, a red tailed hawk. I was driving down the street and saw this one on the side of the road, perched on a branch. I pull over to the next side street and get out of my car hoping for at least one photo. I got the one photo and off it flew before I could zoom more or use my flash.



This is my second red tailed hawk sighting this weekend. I have some fairly good red tailed pictures (at least for me anyway), that I am saving for tomorrow. I have found my new favorite hawk. They have really sweet faces!







23 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your photos today! I look forward to more tomorrow. Enjoy your afternoon.

Kelly said...

Yeah!!! I love the red-winged blackbirds and look forward to your wetland shots. It's snowing here, and once again, they were singing in the backyard. Their song seems misplaced because I associate them with hot summer days!

FAB said...

More species for us to look at Kim - Great to see the Red-winged "in song". I can see why the Red-tailed is a favourite.

Getting close to skittish birds - my suggestion is to stand / sit still & become part of the landscape & then they just might get closer OR you could dress up as a Cardinal - but maybe not.
Have fun. Frank.

Rich said...

Your pictures are great! I am amazed at the clarity! Spring is coming!

Craig Glenn said...

I love the RWB and their song. Reminds me so much of growing up in South Ga.

Craig

Helen said...

We have had the red wing blackbird for several weeks. They also swarm in and eat all my bird seed up so I am not fond of them. Your photos are great. Helen

Anonymous said...

You give me hope that mine will show up before long.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow Kim, Glad you got a picture of the Red-winged blackbird..Is your area their home---or are they just migrating through? Beautiful bird.

We have snow here today (not much)--but the birds are eating like crazy at the feeders. We also saw a big wad of starlings in the yard--but not at the feeders, thank goodness.

Enjoy your day..Great pictures today!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Nice job. I also enjoyed watching a lone Cardinal in my window for a little while this morning :)

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous shots! That cardinal looks so alert!!


p.s. Here's the YouTube link to the video I used, I think you'll like it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvtUKfDO6cs

Ruth said...

I went out to a local swamp yesterday and hoped I might see my first RWB of the season. But no luck, they knew we were in for a snowstorm later in the day.

Coy Hill said...

The red-wings are moving north and spring will soon follow. I encounterd my first RW for the year just yesterday.

Anonymous said...

Great shots. The red wings haven't arrived in our area yet, but it should be long. I feel your pain in trying to get close enough to the birds for lots of good shots. if you figure out the trick to it, please share.

Heather said...

Hooray for the return of the RWBB! I haven't heard or seen any yet this year, but other lucky souls in Ohio have. I know they'll be around my neck of the woods soon. I feel like the little engine who could in regards to spring... "I think it's coming, I think it's coming, I know it's coming, I know it's coming..."

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

No WAY!!! You've got Red-winged Blackbirds?? I love them but I think it'll be a looong time before they come back here...

Anonymous said...

others in my area have reported seeing some Red-winged Blackbirds but I have not seen any yet!

Kim said...

Yes I am very happy about the red winged's finding their way back to New England.

I can totally understand why some people may be annoyed by them at their feeders as they tend to drive away the other birds and hog all of the food, but I have an extra 20lb bag just in case!!! HA! I have never seen one in my yard before so I am guessing they will not come here to feed.

EB, thanks. I have been learning to sit still and blend in with my scenery, but it is very challenging for someone as hyper as me. I am learning though. ;o)

Anonymous said...

The redwings arrived in my back yard about a week ago, and that is a sure sign of spring to come! I love their song. It reminds me of warmer days.

Shelley said...

I loved the title of this post - so appropriate! Great photos today - the red winged blackbird is a fun one!

MicheleRF said...

I've heard a few people say the red-winged blackbirds are in our area here in NW PA but I've yet to see or hear one, YET. Truly a sign that spring is on it's way! YAY! Nice shots BTW. These guys can be hard to expose properly with all the dark colors.

Anonymous said...

Great reds! I've been watching for the red-winged blackbirds around here. None yet. We did spot a pair of red-tailed hawks and a red-shouldered hawk today though :) Red is everywhere!

Jayne said...

My sister has a flock of Red-wing blackbirds at her house, though I've not seen any yet. Love your pretty cardinal!

Leedra said...

Always feels good when we start seeing 'our' birds return after the coldest part of winter.

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