The Travels of Tug 44 |
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Red-Winged Blackbird |
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The Red-Winged Blackbird is the most common bird in North America, with 250 million breeding pairs in peak years, but they are often overlooked. high-res
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This one is a male, he's showing off his colorful shoulder patches. The colors can be almost hidden or proudly displayed, according to his mood. high-res
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Here he is again, sitting on a grass hummock in a swamp ... a section of abandoned Old Champlain Canal in Fort Edward. He's looking for bugs ... lots and lots of bugs ... and seeds & berries. But this moment, he pauses to launch into his breeding display. high-res
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Every minute or so, he stops, inhales deeply, pushes out his wings a bit to display his colors and then gives his call, "Preeeeeeet!" high-res
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When he does this, the colors are visible from all directions. high-res
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Suddenly this Red-Winged Blackbird flies off, flashing his red and yellow patches. Real pretty little critter. high-res
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I photoed this little birdie, not certain of what it was, when a male Red-Winged Blackbird swooped at it and then both flew off together. Turned out, this is the female. high-res
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After showing me her front, she then flipped around on the twig and spread her wings for me. I like it when critters cooperate! high-res |
Lighthouses - Canal Corp Boats - Tugboats & Trawlers