Nature Almanac: Red Wing Blackbirds at Coot Lake

For the first Friday in April . . . Male Redwing Blackbirds at the Coot Lake cattail marshes are staking out territory and flashing their red epaulets, getting ready to see who among them will dazzle the loves of their lives — sparrow-colored female blackbirds … due to arrive in just a few more weeks.

With Ruth Carol Cushman and Scott Severs. Images courtesy of Steve Jones.