A flock of red-winged blackbirds picks through the remains of the sunflowers at McWilliams Pumpkin Patch, no doubt getting ready for colder weather and the food scarcity that usually comes with winter. The birds are called red-wings even though only the males have the bright red and yellow patches on their black wings, while the females are more of a dark brown with an almost unnoticeable patch of light orange on their wings. The smaller and lighter colored individual in this group is likely a juvenile female of the species, according to Missouri Department of Conservation officials. The McWilliams Pumpkin Patch, an agritourism destination that has been popular for many years, is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays, through Oct. 31. Cost of admission, with an additional fee for some activities, is $5 on weekdays and $13 on weekends. It is located at 4007 County Road 6920, about 7.5 miles west of West Plains off of west U.S. 160.
