The red-winged blackbird is ‘The Watcher of the Marsh.’ Some believe it is tasked with guarding the edges of the wetlands, where water meets tall grass.

Birds are often seen as messengers between the physical and spirit worlds. Throughout my life I have heard this expressed in so many different ways from friends, family, and strangers. To me, the Redwing would be understood as a bird that signals changes or warns of shifts in the environment, like the coming of spring, or rising water.

I know spring is here officially when I see them flitting between the cattails and calling out and I love sitting on the ground quietly watching them. They are so animated and offer so many good opportunities for photographs. Most of them I just enjoy myself as I take thousands of shots and simply just delete them to take more. 

This photo stayed as one of my favourites though. It captured a moment differently than so many of the others. And that is what makes it special to me.

-Tyler Thoren