The day was chilly and gray, and with rain at least a threat, I was nervous about walking with my dSLR in tow. But I was on a mission, and to document a trek to a local pond in search of newly returned songbirds, along with stopover avian visitors like ducks and sandpipers, I needed a longer lens than was available on the weatherproof Fuji, so, with an armload of protective plastic trash bags, I headed outside. Earlier, I'd heard the "we're back" screams of our Red-shouldered Hawks, so I had high hopes that the pond would yield something interesting. I wasn't disappointed. No sooner had I made my approach than I heard the "oonk-ah-ree" calls of Red-winged Blackbirds, and as I scanned the treetops and shrubs both in and around the pond, I spotted numerous singing males performing both chorales and aerial ballets. There was, however, no sign yet of females, so I think the guys were just practicing their moves and starting to set up territories. Soon enough, they'll have an audience to try to impress.