Starlings!
After the vile feathered rat that is the wood pigeon the common starling has to be my least favourite garden bird….
Long vilified by my Father as a scavenger (not sure if he meant the starling or my brother and I) I grew up with a intense dislike for these evil looking creatures. Best known for scaring any other species of interest away from your garden and eating the food left for other birds they, along with the pigeon are the thorn in my side…
Look at them! Like a scene from Hitchcok’s The Birds they gather in my garden defecating at will and attacking my coconut shell of fat and bird seed with gusto. I waited ages for anything to have a go at that coconut, I intended to use it as practice for a certain setting on my camera before going off in search of barn owls but all I ever seemed to get were these bloody starlings!
Actually they are not as prolific as they once were, in general terms I mean. I remember seeing large flocks of them on the telephone wires near my parents home or on school playing fields, as much as I like nature I can’t say I would particularly miss the blighters, give me finches anyday.
Great pictures - why not try shooting them with something else next time
Cheers
Rod
May 23, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Rod,
I will if they go near my new bench
Miles
May 23, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
Miles,
I’ve just made a contemporary lily-like bird feeder from a 4 pint plastic milk container. Of course this is just the prototype but if I get right, it could mean big business! The test will come when a Starling sized bird lands on it and tips all the contents out…. but using my new found skills of engineering, I shall adapt and tinker until it’s perfectly balanced…. which is more than can be said for it’s maker
Cid ~ recycler extraordinaire
p.s. I never get on well with coconut feeders, they always go mouldy before the birds finish it. Great photos, you’ve caught the sheen on that bird’s neck.
May 23, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
Cid,
I’ve never been a fan of them either, my Dad gives them to me to be honest. I’ve now got pigeons waiting underneath for any fall out, it’s very annoying!
Miles
May 24, 2009 @ 9:48 pm
Miles,
Even though I dislike these birds as well, your photos are amazing. Creepy looking critters, aren’t they? You certainly captured the evil look. You know they were brought to our country by a European Shakespeare lover. They absolutely drive my dog nuts as they do everything they can to eat his food if he doesn’t put it all away at once. Yes, they are very annoying.
Cid, you sure are a multi-talented woman! From bird feeders to natural hair-care products to culinary delights — you do it all.
Great photos as always, Miles. You’re such a good bird photographer.
By the way, what about that book you were reviewing? Are we ever going to know the who, what and where of it?
Melissa
P.S. When is your birthday?
May 25, 2009 @ 1:41 am
We are infested with your starlings - some idiot released 100 pair of every bird mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays into Central Park - I think in the 1890’s. Starlings took hold. There are literally roosts of millions that roam up and down the coast, devouring everything in sight. They are considered a, “noxious invasive species” here. Possibly my second least favorite bird after the pigeon - this is right up the French’s alley - Starlings would pack twice the punch of the poor little Ortolan.
I have been working my (fat) ass off. We finally hired someone for saute - I can go back to the test kitchen for the most part - but all in all, it was fun to get crushed on the line for a while. I don’t envy any new chef looking at 20 years of late nights and staggering hangovers - but it was fun to pretend I was 25 again, but I’m 41, tired, and the kids reminded me daily of how lame I was. I was happy kids today can still bust balls - life sucks without a little fun. They have no idea what a true hazing is - and I’ll looking forward to
May 25, 2009 @ 5:00 am
That got clipped short - I love seeing how people react under stress - you learn a ton. gotta go - taking too long to find the keys tonight
May 25, 2009 @ 5:32 am
Melissa/Dave,
Well you gave us the Partridge Family and we gave you starlings!!
I had no idea about that but I must admit to a wry smile this morning reading this
Dave, glad you’ve got a replacement, I’ve got four new ones in one of our hotels this week, young and fresh faced. I remember those days…just!
Miles
May 25, 2009 @ 8:00 am
To All,
Here in California, school campuses are swarmed by sea gulls who have come inland for the ready supply of food left behind by the less than tidy students. One learns very quickly that when the gulls are startled, they lift off en masse and lighten their loads by pooping on whomever is in the way. If there is a bird to be wary of, it is the gull. One other bird that is a menace, and that can be downright dangerous, it is the jay or catbird. They delight in dive-bombing people and animals if they feel one has ventured into their zone. They make the most awful sound to accompany their kamakazi attacks.
On a pleasant note: As I sat on my pation early last evening savoring a well-earned Canadian Club and water, I saw a delightful little woodpecker land in a neighbor’s tree. I live verry close to a winding canyon, and often see birds of prey circling ’round, but to see this little fellow last night made my heart joyful.
Best to all,
Annie
May 25, 2009 @ 6:21 pm
Annie,
There’s me jealous as hell of you living in California! They don’t show that on the current promotional tourist advert over here, it’s all Arnie and Maria Schriver with whiter than white smiles.
I’d risk it all for a Canadian Club though
Miles
May 25, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
Ah yes, the Canadian Club, my personal poison, along with Bushmill’s Black, Jack Daniels, Maker’s Mark, Nobody ever said I didn’t drink big-girl stuff.
May 27, 2009 @ 9:53 pm