Red-winged blackbirds flock to the feast

I photographed this flock of red-winged blackbirds the evening of Dec. 4. Seeing them land on a small transitory island at the flooded low end of a harvested soybean field surprised me. Some of the blackbirds were even landing on the cut soybean stubs.

As I watched I realized they were feeding. I assume they were feasting on weed and soybean seeds that had floated to the island. Then I heard the distinct cries that a frog makes when caught by a snake. There was no mistaking as I watched closely. Some of the birds were indeed catching and eating small frogs! I had unwittingly left my zoom lens at home this day and could get no closer than this photo attests.

Red-winged blackbirds are one of North America's most numerous and widespread birds. There are five species of North American blackbirds. Spring and fall migrations will often have more than one species migrating together.

They can sometimes be observed flying in meandering long lines that keep coming and coming, snaking low across the sky headed for who knows where.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more work by him at the O'Tenem Gallery.