February 13th. They're back! Male Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus), mostly far out in Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

Far away, their calls are barely audible but unmistakable - and a joyous promise of Spring to come.

 

 

 

 

 

February 14th. The Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelieus phoeniceus) were close above the trail today.

 

Calling. I wish you could hear them. Oh wait, you can! https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Red-winged_Blackbird

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wind had picked up and they were gone by the time I passed their spot on my return trip.

 

 

 

February 15th. Lots of American Crows (Corvus brachyrhyncos) at Raymond Brook Marsh.

 

 

 

February 16th. One of a pair of Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura).

 

At Portland, the Air Line, still an active railroad, crosses west across the Connecticut River.

 

It's a swing bridge. When a train is to cross, the operator rows out to the middle, climbs to the control room above and operates the controls to turn the bridge 90 degrees and connect the tracks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking east, the rails lead only as far as several nearby commercial businesses.

 

 

 

 

 

Just upstream from the railroad bridge, the Arigoni Bridge carries motor vehicles. It is about to be the subject of a US Postage Stamp.

 

February 17th. A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) at the marsh before flying off to the west.

 

 

 

Male Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) of course.

 

 

 

 

 

February 18th. A pair of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) on the channel side.

 

 

 

 

 

February 19th. Fresh ice after temps in the low 20s overnight.

 

Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) calling.

 

 

 

Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) overhead.

 

More male Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) every day...

 

...and more close to or above the trail.

 

Intensity of their displays is higher too.