Tonight while driving home from work I saw a couple of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) flitting around on the side of the road.

Whenever I see red-winged blackbirds I always have good memories. I would often see them while driving across country in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska on the way to visit customers.

They remind me of the great outdoors and wide open spaces.

I do see them occasionally here in California along the highways, but not as often as I would back in the Midwest.

I am also reminded of a visit that I made to the Toronto Zoo where I was able to catch an nice picture of a red-winged blackbird.

It is rare that I have a chance to capture a picture of one as I normally only see them while driving.

The first picture in the post was also taken in Toronto. I was visiting High Park with my friend John and was attacked by a red-winged blackbird.

Evidently I must have been near the bird’s nest. The bird flew into my head from behind.

See: Angry Birds

Of course, I also think of this Blackbird when ever I see a red-winged blackbird. I took this picture the day I met some of my best friends.

Steven