Blackbirds and Bullrushes

Almost every marsh or pond in the Foothills with cattails or some form of brush on the water’s edge is attended by one or more mating pairs of Red-winged Blackbird now.  They have returned from their winter south or west of Alberta over the past couple of weeks and are now setting up for the kids.  I love the energy that is growing now that spring is truly underway (in May, I know…)

This fellow flew within a few dozen yards to check me out.  He may have just thought that the tripod and long lens was overkill for his little pond but he hopped along the bullrushes nearby and then flew across the water to where I could see his mate was perched.

May 5, 2011 | Categories: Birds, Prairie, Wildlife | Tags: Agelaius phoeniceus, animal, bird, bullrush, bulrush, cattail, corndog grass, grassland, male, marsh, passerine, perch, pond, prairie, punks, Red-winged Blackbird, Redwing Blackbird, Redwinged Blackbird, reedmace, spring, Typha, wildlife | 2 Comments