Red-Winged Blackbird Flocks at Blackwater NWR

In the colder months there are huge flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds flying through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge outside of Cambridge Maryland. The number of Bald Eagles increase also during the colder months to approximately 150. When the water freezes over the Eagles sometimes are seen taking Red-winged Blackbirds or Canada Geese for their meals. Here are some photos of the flocks of Red-winged Blackbirds flying through the refuge and also photos of Eagles guarding their lunch.

Canon 20D, Sigma 300-800 f/5.6 zoom @ 731mm (1170mm with 1.6 crop factor of 20D sensor), 1/2000 sec @ f/8, ISO 400, aperture priority, -0.33 exposure compensation.

Canon 7D, EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM +1.4x teleconverter, 560mm (896mm with 1.6 crop factor of 7D sensor), @ f/8, 1/2500 sec, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, -0.33 exposure compensation.

Paw print in snow, Canon EOS 1D MkIII, EF 24-105m f/4 @ 105mm, (~135mm with 1.3X crop factor of 1D MkIII sensor)  1/100 sec, f/22, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, +1 Exposure Compensation

Eagle w/Red-winged blackbird, Canon EOS 7D, Sigma 300-800mm f/5.6 zoom @ 1023mm with 1.6X crop factor of 7D sensor), 1/2500 sec, f/8, ISO 400.

ICE Sunrise,  Canon 20D, Sigma 300-800 f/5.6 zoom @ 300mm (480mm with 1.6 crop factor of 20D sensor), 1/3200 sec @ f/8, ISO 400, aperture priority, -0.76 exposure compensation.

Ice sunset, Canon EOS 1D MkIII, EF 17-40m f/4 @ 17mm, (~22mm with 1.3X crop factor of 1D MkIII  sensor)   1/8 sec, f/20, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, +0.67 Exposure Compensation

Canon 20D, Sigma 300-800 f/5.6 zoom @ 800mm (1280mm with 1.6 crop factor of 20D sensor), 1/160 sec @ f/8, ISO 400, aperture priority, -0.67 exposure compensation.

Ice Sunset, Canon 1D MkIII, EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM, 520mm (896 with 1.3 crop factor of 1D MkIII sensor), @ f/9, 1/1000 sec, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, -1 exposure compensation.

Eagle w/Red-winged blackbird, Canon EOS1D MkIII, Canon 400mm DO f/4 (520mm with 1.3X crop factor of 1D MkIII sensor), 1/1000 sec, f/9, ISO 400, Aperture Priority, -1 exposure compensation

Red-winged blackbirds flying by the snag at sunset.

Red-winged Blackbirds scattering after Eagle swooped in for a meal.