Thursday, May 08, 2008

SkyWatch Friday, Cloudless Skies & Starling



A Starling silhouetted against a cloudless sky clutches a bug tightly moments before plunging down the chimney to feed its brood.

I noticed this feeding occurring while I was shooting the carpenter bee featured in my previous post. Every few minutes one would land on the chimney edge, survey its surroundings before hopping into the chimney opening. By the time this bird was leaving another was sitting on the rim awaiting its turn.

I shot a number of photographs of these birds and found it quite interesting that they all appeared to be carrying the same type of insect. From the photographs I have not been able to identify the insect but apparently on this day they ranked high upon the list of the Starling’s favorite foods.

25 comments:

  1. Busy bees, busy birds. You get some amazing photos.

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  2. Lovely, Salty! I always enjoy your nature shots! I've joined Sky Watch Friday this time around, but if you look at my prior two blog posts, I've photographed the herring run in Brewster, including a gull gulping down a herring! =)

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  3. Nice Catch... for you and the bird.
    Also the bee pictures is awesome

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  4. In a place where it's always cloudy, seeing spotless skies is so wonderful.

    My SWF is now posted, too! You can check it out here:

    Jenn Was Here

    Please drop by when you have the time. Thanks!

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  5. Very nice capture!

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  6. Nice capture with the bug in it's mouth!
    Glad Skywatch brought me here. I have enjoyed all your previous photos as well.

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  7. I love birds and this is a great shot of one! Have a good weekend.

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  8. Beautiful Sky Watch.
    Nice silhouette.
    It`s having a proper meal. ;)

    Ida

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  9. Well caught Salty,

    Pop over and see Belvoir Castle Gardens skies.

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  10. great entry for SWF! Happy weekend! Hope you'll visit my SWF entry too...

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  11. eeing spotless skies is so wonderful, isn´t it?
    Great photos you have here.

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  12. Well spotted with the insects.. some birds will just seem to know what bugs are going to be about for when their young hatch.. one of natures marvals I suppose.
    Great capture..
    One more thing about this picture as well Salty.. the chimney.. I hate the 'new builds' I do not like houses with out chimney stacks.. they just don't look right.

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  13. amazing! a great photo for the skywatch!

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  14. Gosh! Only beautiful photos on your blog.

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  15. Salty: Wonderul story and photo of the bird agaist the sky.

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  16. Wonderful photo as usual Salty. very informative post as well.. thanks for sharing and have a great weekend.

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  17. A few starlings have been flitting around our back yard. I haven't figured out where their nest is yet. Great shot. Perhaps its a grasshopper. It seems to have wings.

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  18. Gosh I hope it isn't the dreaded Japanese Beetle. Those are about due to emerge from the ground here where I live. That will be another nightmare to contend with.

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  19. Hi! Although Starlings are not my favorite bird, you have captured him/her very well. Nice pic. Lisa

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Thanks again
Coy