Blackbird Dracula

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Blackbird Dracula

June 27, 2015 by Mike Powell

I probably watched too many horror movies as a child, because I couldn’t help but think of Count Dracula when I first saw the posture of this male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) at my local marshland park. The blackbird seemed to have assumed the traditional bat-like Dracula pose and appeared to be getting ready to swoop in and suck my blood. Involuntarily, my neck began to twitch a little.

Fortunately, the blackbird flew off in another direction and, at least for now, I have not been turned into a vampire.

Posted in Birds, Humor, Nature, Photography, Portraits, wildlife | Tagged Agelaius phoeniceus, Alexandria VA, Canon 50D, Dracula, Huntley Meadows Park, male Red-winged Blackbird, red-winged blackbird, Tamron 150-600mm telephoto | 20 Comments

20 Responses

on June 27, 2015 at 5:02 am | Reply Laura (PA Pict)

Ha ha! That is quite a “creature of the night” pose. When we see these birds around, their red flashes make me think of shoulder pads or epaulettes – but then one has never done a Christopher Lee pose on me.
on June 27, 2015 at 5:36 am | Reply Adrian Lewis

Beautiful portrait, Mike – you’ve caught him brilliantly! Adrian
- on June 28, 2015 at 5:42 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Adrian. I was fortunate that the bird perched at a location where he was not obscured by vegetation. I fired away as he called out and was happy that I managed to capture this interesting pose.
on June 27, 2015 at 5:43 am | Reply Beachbums1

Great photo ~ love the Dracula pose! I don’t recall seeing a red-winged blackbird (I’m in NoVA), guess I need to pay a lot closer attention!
- on June 27, 2015 at 6:48 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  I see them very frequently at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria–they love to hang out in the cattails.
on June 27, 2015 at 5:56 am | Reply Victor Rakmil

In defence of their nests, blackbirds will attack people. Happened near our Parliament. Walk a certain part of the sidewalk get dive bombed and pecked by a bird.
- on June 27, 2015 at 6:47 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Yikes. I’ve had blackbirds complain if I get too close, but have never seen one attack.
  - on June 27, 2015 at 7:07 am Victor Rakmil
    
    Try you tube😀
on June 27, 2015 at 7:32 am | Reply Charise

A movie comes to my mind with this picture…The Birds, an Alfred Hitchcock film. Yikes!
- on June 27, 2015 at 7:45 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  A classic (and scary) film. Ylkes indeed!
on June 27, 2015 at 8:03 am | Reply svtakeiteasy

Stunning and threatening!
- on June 27, 2015 at 8:52 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  The eyes look wild and the fact that you can see the claws so clearly adds to the threatening aspect of the blackbird.
on June 27, 2015 at 10:46 am | Reply New Hampshire Garden Solutions

It looks like he was screeching at you too!
on June 28, 2015 at 12:02 am | Reply Bella Remy Photography

Great caption and super capture Mike
- on June 28, 2015 at 5:37 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Emily.
on June 28, 2015 at 7:36 am | Reply Birder's Journey

Great shot of this glorious RWBB moment!
- on June 28, 2015 at 8:06 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks.
on June 28, 2015 at 1:07 pm | Reply caleephotography

Fantastic capture, Mike!
- on June 28, 2015 at 7:56 pm | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Camilla. I photograph Red-winged Blackbirds pretty often and never know when I will catch something fun and unusual.
on June 28, 2015 at 4:48 pm | Reply naturesnippets

What he’s saying probably wouldn’t be printable.