Red-winged Blackbird and Great Blue Heron chick update

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I have to show you this Red-winged Blackbird, (Agelaius phoeniceus), image that I captured a few days ago at Middle Concho Park.  Usually they are off in the reeds making noise and not showing themselves enough to make a nice image.  However, this one I spotted when I was driving along the shore of the Concho River, (on the grass, of course).  He was fluttering around and lit on a small branch sticking out of the water.  Only a few feet away I managed this composition.

Red-winged Blackbird

Red-winged Blackbird.  1/2000 sec.@ f5.6, +0,7EV, ISO 1600.  Noise eliminated with Topaz DeNoise.  Canon EOS 7D and 100-400mm lens.

I drove downtown to check on the Great Blue Heron nest.  As you may remember I mentioned it in a previous post that there were four chicks alive and well.  Well, they are growing well and being well fed by their doting mother who continually dips into the nearby Concho River for some fish.  Exposure was again made with my Canon EOS 7D and 100-400mm lens.  1/3000 sec. @ f5.6, +0.3, ISO 640.

Click here to vote in the latest Bird ID quiz.  Thursday is the last day to make your selection as the results will be published on Friday.  Let’s see how ya’ll do on this one.

28 thoughts on “Red-winged Blackbird and Great Blue Heron chick update”

  1. Oh my goodness! The heron family photo is wonderful! I would think a birding publication of some sort would love to publish that. How awesome to be there to see them and take that photo.

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  3. Wonderful, Bob! I see hundreds of this red-winged blackbird near the river where I usually go for a walk…and you’re right, they are noisy!

    Love your Blue heron image…I’ve only seen one so far.

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  4. These are wonderful Bob! I’ve never seen a blackbird in person before. I’m glad to see the baby herons are thriving and surviving… What is the average lifespan of a bird? I bet the old cliche is true for birds as well… They grow up too fast! Great post and thanks for reminding us about the quiz because I need to come up with an answer! 🙂

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    • Hi Polly, thanks for the wonderful comment. I must admit that I really don’t have any general idea of the life span of birds. I am sure they all differ somewhat. Good luck on the quiz. 🙂

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  5. Can’t believe how quickly the babies have grown..and the shot of the Red-winged Blackbird is awesome. They are hard to see at my little pond..seems like they are just visible in among the cattails. Have a great day..sun is shining in Colorado and days are warming!!

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  6. We have red winged blackbirds that come to our feeders – their shrill and very loud whistle always announces their presence. The heron chicks will be out soon it looks like. Always enjoy your photos! Kathleen

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    • The shrill calls of the Red-winged Blackbirds are loud definitely, no mistaken their sound. I agree that the heron chicks must be about ready to fledge. Thanks so much for your comment, Kathleen.

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  11. That is just a superb pic of the blackbird! Glad the herons are doing well – looks like they’ve grown lots.

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  13. Very impressive! The RWB’s I’ve seen have never displayed so prominently. Enjoy the heron family posts too. Never thought about baby herons, since I only see adults 🙂

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