European Starling perched on frosty barb wire – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I have a backlog of raptor images I took earlier this week but I wanted to share one of a species that some people hate or many bird photographers prefer to ignore, the European Starling.
European Starlings are an introduced species and they have spread across North America since their introduction and now exist here in extremely large numbers. These starlings are considered a pest by many and they can and do out compete native species for food and nesting areas.
They actually sound like the European settlers that came to this country many moons ago.
I don’t drive past starlings when I am out in the field. I do stop and attempt to take photos of them because despite their bad reputation in my opinion they are lovely birds. They are also wonderful songsters that can mimic the songs and calls of many of our native birds. They have fooled my ears on more than a few occasions.
European Starlings also remind me of a terrific woman each and every time I see and photograph them. A woman with a big heart, a warm smile, and love for European Starlings that she calls the “Emperors Nightingale” because of their wonderful songs. This photo is for you Barbara.
I took this photo four days ago at Farmington Bay WMA which is where I met Barbara and I thought of her as I took images of this European Starling and smiled. I do that when I take photos of bluebirds and hummingbirds too because my mom loves them as much as Barbara loves her “nightingales”.
Seeing and paying attention to all birds is an important part of my skill set as well as my nature and as a bird photographer it has led me to some exciting finds in the field. Just recently seeing all the birds gave me a lifer Rusty Blackbird.
Weather Map Salt Lake City, Utah for December 12, 2020
On to this mornings weather… It is snowing! The road and the grass out front have turned white since I got up this morning and I can see that the roof tops across the street have turned white too even though it is still dark outside. I am excited because we need the snow and because I love it even if I grumble about having to clear it off of my Jeep.
Perhaps later today I will make a trip to my local pond and photograph birds with big, fat, fluffy flakes falling in some of the images. That always gets me excited.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my European Starling photos plus facts and information about this species.
When the light hits them just right, they take on almost ornamental look. Quite stunning.
I enjoy starlings, they are cleaver and a strikingly beautiful bird. I do get upset with them when big flocks eat all my suet blocks. You would be surprised by how many people call with injured starlings thinking it is someones exotic escaped pet.
They are beautiful birds and it isn’t their fault they’re so successful. Once again, humans have screwed up, ecologically. The frost on that devil wire indicates quite the chilly morning — thank you for braving the elements. I look forward to your snowy shots from today.
We are responsible for so many of the ‘pest’ birds (and animals and plants too).
Love your association with particular species of birds and people dear to you.
I love the winter plumage of the European Starling.
A humane and intelligent attitude…thank you!
Now how. about the House Sparrow Passer Domesticus ?