What a treat.Love the long shot.

Beautiful shot, and happy birthday too!

Karen

What a perfect banner; and the timing is right on schedule. March is the month of return for the red-winged blackbirds here in the central Midwest. They have a distinct call and love our local wetlands. This banner and photo captures the "real feel" of spring time. The colorful patches on their wings seems to announce "spring is here"! Thanks Dirt for a special gift!

Wow. THAT is spectacular!! Congrats on the awesome banner Dirt!!

And a very happy birthday to you! Wishing you a year filled with laugher and joy!

You did it, Dirt! Spectacular!

Happy Birthday!

Too bad banners are only up for a day. I could look at that one a while longer (bird lover here) .

Audubon would love it!

I love birds and loved this banner. What kind of birds were these?

dave said:I love birds and loved this banner. What kind of birds were these?

Agelaius phoeniceus. Mostly males in the photos as the females aren't black and don't have the banded red epaulet on their shoulder. The ones I see at the feeders are also mostly males. Don't know why, but they easily outnumber the females by at least 10-15 males to a single female. They are common birds and widespread over North America. Find a stock pond in your area that has cattails growing in it and you're sure to see some this spring and summer.

Dirt can give you more info when she returns from her birthday trip :).

Yes, we are fortunate to have them year round in the wetlands--and yes, we do have marshes around that huge salty lake!
In the summer we also get the yellow-headed black birds, Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus


Thanks everybody!
We had a fabulous trip and I had a great Birthday, all week