Sights and sounds of a marsh

Paul Meisenheimer

Paul Meisenheimer

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Nothing reminds me more of a day in the marsh than the sound of the red-winged blackbird. It always puts a smile on my face.

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There is a slough near here that is appropriately named Weed Lake. While it is a gong show to be avoided during duck season, it is a great place to observe and take a few pictures during the off season. The birds love this place, mostly because humans can't get close to them. I took a few pictures and thought I would share.

The main reason I dropped by was to photograph the American Avocet. We are approaching the northern limit of their breeding grounds but you wouldn't know it by the number of birds. They were everywhere.

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As you can see the cinnamon teal were not hard to find.

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This one reminded me of Bob's Pickle weed decoys.

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Of course there were lots of other ducks around but they all kept their distance.

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This female Wilson's Phalarope was a cool bird I didn't expect to see.

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That is a delightful collection of photos, Paul. I agree with you about the redwing blackbird. Seems like they just belong in the mix of things if you are a waterfowler.
Al
 
Good morning, Paul~

What a fine cast of characters! We here in the east can only envy you. I reminds me of a few weeks I spent in Saskatchewan one spring about 30 years ago. I, too, love Redwings - but I'm wondering if you have Yellow-headeds whetre you are?

All the best,

SJS
 
Steve,

Thanks for the comments. Yes we have yellow-headed blackbirds. I took a few shots but none that were worth posting. They were all at quite a distance and the birds were very active.

Paul
 
That is a delightful collection of photos, Paul. I agree with you about the redwing blackbird. Seems like they just belong in the mix of things if you are a waterfowler.
Al
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Thanks for the comments Al. I just love their song in the morning. I often wake to it now that the windows are open.
 
35 years ago I spent spring and summer on the Delta marsh and in pothole country. The picture of the red-wing blackbird is enough to spark vivid audio and visual remembrances of the sights and sounds of the cacophony of red-wings, yellow-headed blackbirds, and marsh wrens that greeted me every day. Thanks for the photos Paul.
 
35 years ago I spent spring and summer on the Delta marsh and in pothole country. The picture of the red-wing blackbird is enough to spark vivid audio and visual remembrances of the sights and sounds of the cacophony of red-wings, yellow-headed blackbirds, and marsh wrens that greeted me every day. Thanks for the photos Paul.
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You are most welcome Brad. I have the good fortune to look out my kitchen window at a series of potholes. I can never quite comprehend the number and variety of waterfowl here.
 
Neat pictures Paul.

Those Avocets are gorgeous birds. Bet the babies are precious....maybe you'll get to see a bunch of the little fuzzballs.
 
Neat stuff. Avocets are a cool bird. I'm always surprised at how large they look next to other birds.

A couple weeks ago I was in NE SD and saw quite a few hanging around the ponds that survived the drought. Saw a lot of ducks and geese on those surviving ponds too. At times the noise from all the birds made fishing hard. :)

I wish I had grabbed the camera when we had a Phalarope land next to the boat and start spinning around. Lots of interesting birds out there.

Tim
 
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