May 19: Redwing blackbird in the wind

It was a seething, stormy day in Kansas; when it wasn't pouring rain, there was a cold, strong wind. At one point, we pulled over at the edge of a wheat field to switch drivers. The grain was a smooth, smooth green across the field, and waves rippled through it in the wind. A redwing blackbird flew up near us, headed into the wind, and for a few moments it paused in the air, beating its wings strenuously but going nowhere, just managing not to be pushed backwards. It finally managed to perch on a stop sign, huddled down and ruffled.

It was a better day for a duck than a blackbird, I imagine.