An early harbinger of spring: A redwinged blackbird stakes out his territory in the hope of attracting a mate.
Holy Mackinaw! There were times at the beach today when I thought I was going to be swept out to sea . . . um, the bay! I will have to look it up to see exactly what category hurricane we were having this morning.
There was warmth in the sun, but it only peeked out every so often, making for chilling temperatures and frozen fingers.
Good news on several fronts! Insert your own fanfare here — this is the single most important harbinger of spring. The redwinged blackbirds have returned! Perhaps they were blown in on the gale overnight. At any rate, they are certainly back. Not in the profusion we’ll see in the days and weeks ahead. No, these are the advance reconnaissance troops, checking out the conditions for courting and mating.
Some of the male redwings seemed to have found Ashbridges to their liking, already staking out trees and calling away to announce themselves to any passing females in the mood for a mate.
And even more good news for all those who, like me, were wondering about the gadwalls. I did, in fact, see a single pair of gadwalls this morning in the inlet where the boat berths are closest to the footpath. They bobbed into view, then disappeared quickly to go who knows? I didn’t seem them again, even though I was looking for them.
A male goldeneye begins his peculiar courtship display.
Another treat today: the comical courtship display of the goldeneye males. There was a flotilla of goldies out in the inner bay. The females were paddling about, looking pretty unconvinced about the whole mating thing, but the males kept up their comical routine anyway. In the first picture you can see one of the males extending his neck, getting ready to make his courting call. In the next shot, the male has thrust his head backward so that the tip of it touches his rump.
The second half of the male goldeneye's ritual.
Looks like a strong wave (of which there many this a.m.) would swamp him. Still photos don’t really do this performance justice. Next time I witness this I’ll make a little video.
In the meantime, keep up all positive thoughts of spring. There’s plenty of evidence it’s on the way.
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