One of the delights as winter wanes is the return of so many different birds. Several days ago the red-winged blackbird males arrived, and on their heels were the neighbourhood bullies, the grackles. They come to the feeders in groups and they monopolize them, not giving the house sparrows and others much opportunity to get their share of seeds.

On a dull day, they look like big all-black birds, but when the sun is out, their iridescent blue heads and bronze backs are gorgeous.

I took these shots by the feeders under the big old apple tree just behind our home.