New Birdcam photos. Mostly different crowd.

1 of 13. Rival Red Winged Blackbirds. One warning the other with his display.

2 of 13. Three female Red Wings, one Bronzed Cowbird.

3 of 13. Fight between female Redwing and Cowbird.

4 of 13. Grackle.

5 of 13. Great Tail Grackle.

6 of 13. Male Red Wing. Relaxed, no red showing.

7 of 13. Warning!

8 of 13. More warning.

9 of 13. Getting serious.

10 of 13. Final warning.

11 of 13. No more!

BEAUTIFUL shots trois!!!!

12 of 13. Red Wing, Grackle fight.

13 of 13. Thanks, pelletory!
In between visits of the larger birds, a Cardinal takes his turn.

Wow, the Cardinal pic is outstanding! Your Red Wing Blackbirds sure have a lot more red on them than the ones I've seen here. Thanks for posting!

I was about to despair about the lack of color until this cold snap increased the food competition. Then they started to show the color.

How interesting! I never realized that displaying their red patch was a warning and a sign of aggression! Your photos certainly illustrate the whole process brilliantly! Its so obvious looking at those pictures.

We had RWBs all over Montana & I never knew the red was a warning. Now I'm confused. Where does it go? Do the wings go UNDER other feathers?

I'm a dummy about birds. All brownish birds are still sparrows to me.

I didn't know either until I set up the bird cam.. It gives a chance to study without humans bothering the birds.

I don't know where the red goes. Several times this morning I saw several , out of camera range, displaying at the same time. It is a great learning tool. Also, they never display when not near the food dish, so competition brings out the color.

trois

I bet they display those eppaulettes when there are "babes" around too lol! There were always alot of them around when I was growing up on the shore although I don't see them as often now. I think they like being close to water maybe than I am here. But I do remember in addition to displaying those brawny shoulders (lol) they would let out with a raspy metalic sounding screech while expanding their head and chest area feathers like a ballon and spreading their tail feathers too. Kind of like muscle beach posing? Come to think of it - a lot of black birds do that. Could be I'm remembering the wrong ones?

That sounds about right. When I was a kid they only nested out in a pond in the cat tails.I would describe their call a musical trill.

I may be remembering the raspy sound of grackles.

Wonderful shots.....those female red-wings are beautiful also!

Thanks. Yes, they are beautiful and many folks don't know what they are. They raise many cowbirds, some of which they bring to the feeder.

trois, Your 'bird cam' gets really nice images, How are you getting them from the cam to the web? ( I know it must sound like a stupid question, But, Im not too computer savy) I have an Ówl Cam set out in one of my birdboxes, It shows what goes on in the box day and night, But, It's B&W images only, No color. ( Sorry, Forgot to mention that I enjoyed the nice photos from it that you had posted, It does a good job! I just got back from trying to have my puter fixed, It took over three hours and I guess my mind is still on what it was that the guy was doing to fix it)

This message was edited Feb 16, 2007 6:54 PM

I use 2 cameras. One security camera, in color, and the other is a Lumix FZ-30. I see a good picture with the security cam, the using a remote control, take the still photo with the Lumix, which I can download into the computer.
The remote control works up to 200 feet away. I take the pictures while setting at my desk.
The Cedar Waxwings are hand held shots.

I use 2 cameras. One security camera, in color, and the other is a Lumix FZ-30. I see a good picture with the security cam, and using a remote control, take the still photo with the Lumix, which I can download into the computer.
The remote control works up to 200 feet away. I take the pictures while setting at my desk.
The Cedar Waxwings are hand held shots.

I had at least 25 red-winged blackbirds in the yard this morning, mostly female. They made quick work of a lot of seed!!! Later today, there were quite a number of them up high in the alder trees singing - delightful!!!!!! They heard me turn on my camera and they all took off. Oh, well, it wouldn't have been a good pic anyway.

As usual, Trois, you have given us some fabulous photos to view!

Thanks, Murmur!

Thank's for the info trois!! I was wondering how you did it and now I know, Shows that it works out really well seeing the awsome pictures you've gotten!

The nice thing is that the birds act completely natural, with out any humans in their view. You never see some of the things if you have part of their attention.

Great pics...I'm actually heading to Texas in 5 weeks to spend 10 days birding..I'll have to drop by! LOL! Great-tailed Grackle would be a life bird!

Any parking lot at any Mall will have plenty. Where will you be staying and maybe we can get together?
I will be happy to assist in any way I can.

trois

I don't think I will be near Santa Fe...I am arriving in Houston, heading to Aransas, then working my way to Brownsville and McAllen then back to Houston. Have plans to visit all the hot spots...Laguna Atascosa, Boca Chica, Sabal Palm, Bentsen, Santa Ana, Falcon Dam....its going to be a very birdy 10 days! Can't wait!

It sounds like you will be very busy. Santa Fe is near Galveston. Are you going solo or with a guided tour?

That sounds like a great bird trip Todd. Have a wonderful time; can't wait to see your pics when you return.

I am going with two friends, but we will be going solo rather than a tour. There are so many good books on birding SE Texas that I think we could do as well on our own.

Be aware that some of the best places can be reached only by boat.