I heard the first "oonk-a-ree" calls of the newly returned Red-winged Blackbirds today as I paused on my cardiac-rehab-prevent-death forced march to briefly scan the farm-edge marsh for signs of resurgent life. From the raucous songs, there had to be several males setting up territories, but try as I might, I couldn't spot any of the distinctive dark-birds-with-signature-red-wing-patches. Then I got lucky. Sort of. At the back edge of the marsh, I noticed something take flight, and though the shadow was truly beyond the autofocus abilities of both the Sigma 100-400mm supertelephoto and its handler, I did manage to get an image with what appeared to be details beyond complete black. When I got home and ran the shot through my digital photo enhancement tool kit, I noticed the giveaway field mark that gives the bird its common name. So let the migration show begin... and may the Red-wings come closer next time.