Weekly Top Shot

I know this is called Weekly TOP SHOT - but indulge me - this was a special day - I finally, after weeks - got pictures of Red-Winged Blackbirds

I've been trying for weeks to get a clear photo of a Red-Winged Blackbird.  Every evening we go down to the ponds, set up the tripod and camera and attempt  to catch one, or two. Every evening they are too far away and even with my fabulous camera I couldn't get a clear photo.

Until today

We were driving out toward Concrete, WA - yes - it was a town founded on the producing of Concrete for the dams to provide electricity to Washington and British Columbia.  On the way to our destination I noticed some Black Bird Calls and marked in my mind the area, so we could stop on the way home.

There were quite a few Red-Winged Blackbirds, often sitting among the cat tails so I couldn't get a clear shoot - and then this fellow popped right up nearby and I clicked as long as he stayed on the branch - which wasn't very long.

He was lovely - and as cars rushed by on the busy road I too photos between the blasts of air from the passing cars - which jiggled our car and made for shaky photos.

He posed for a long time

He was calling at this time - and had ruffled his neck feathers so much that I couldn't see his head

The only female that sat on a cattail long enough for a photo

She was partly hidden by the cattails

It was so exciting - at last my Red-Winged Blackbirds.  We had room on the edge of the road to pull over and take photos.  The patch of marshy land and cattails was about a quarter of a mile long.  I'd take some photos until a bird flew off, then Don would move the car up along the shoulder of the road until I spotted another - stop the car and wait.  He asked me several times, "Are you remembering to breathe?".  I sometimes get so excited taking photos that I forgot to breathe.  Fortunately I eventually do.

This Blackbird was even closer - and sat on the branch, grooming his feathers

And calling

He doesn't look like the all black Red-Winged Blackbird, but my research show that he is a Red-Winged Blackbird

He spent a lot of time ruffling his feathers

Followed by his song

And looking about

Followed by more calling.

It certainly was an exciting day.

Weekly Top Shot