Beauty in black - Red-winged Blackbird
Red-winged Blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ) is a symbol of spring. Every spring, when I see them visiting the feeder in our backyard, I know that nature is waking up. The male's conk-la-ree is a classic sound of wetlands in the spring in and around Edmonton and many parts of Alberta. These males are gorgeous black in colour with distinctive red shoulder patches that are visible when the bird is in flight or in display. At rest, males also show a white or pale yellow wing bar. These wing markings are very important in defending the male's territory. Males with larger spots are more effective in chasing away the rival males. On this Sunday morning, as I am looking through the window at our snow-covered backyard, I am thinking of those blackbirds visiting the feeders again and calling out loudly the arrival of spring. A few months and it will happen again.......... A high key frame of a male in early spring Every time I look at this photo, I remember Joe Cocker's song ...
