C B Images

Photography by Chris Bates

Marsh

Turtles and Blackbird Marsh Life II
Female Red-Winged Blackbird entertaining Eastern Painted Turtles: ISO 500, 368mm, f/6.3, 1/1000

This picture was taken the same day that I took the Geese Family photo below.

The turtles seem to be watching this bird rather intently.

High Key Female Red Winged Blackbird
Female Red-Winged Blackbird, Airdrie, AB: ISO 1600, 150mm, f/5.0, 1/3200

I took an early morning walk this morning hoping to catch the morning sun highlight the activity at a marsh down the street from our house.

The blackbirds were very active this morning. This female Red-Winged Blackbird was foraging for nesting materials. The male birds were standing guard and protecting their territory. A sure sign of spring!

Red Wing Blackbird
Red Wing Blackbird: ISO 320, 210mm, f/4.0, 1/320

Spotted this Male Red Winged Blackbird at Elizabeth Hall Wetland Nature Reserve in Lethbridge, Alberta pretty easily as he was trying to catch my attention as I moved closer to the marsh.

He must have been protecting a nest nearby because he was causing a loud distraction.

A couple of females were also flying around. They were probably busy gathering food for their young.