This was taken just before the flickers left for good. I received an email today saying that the European Starlings had been brought over intentionally to Central Park in 1880. There 100 brought and today there are over 2 million. Amazing what 100 little starlings can accomplish.
Nikon D 300
Nikon 300 mm F 2.8
ISO 640
1/1250, F7.1
manual
Looks like the whole platoon showed up!
Really been enjoying these Flicker vs. Starling shots. I like the side lighting in this and the details look good. The landing bird with it's wings spread out makes this image for me.
Judy, this is a beautiful shot with great light. I like the 3 sitting above and the wing pose of the right one.
You should send a few Starlings back to Europe, they are declining here in several countries :(
Judy, I think the light in this image is fantastic. I also like the detail in the log & the starlings' coloration. Your whole flicker v. starlings series has been very enjoyable to see. I have witnessed this battle over a flicker nesting box that I put up. I finally just took it down because I was so reluctant to contribute to the starling population.
TFS,
Andrew
That tree trunk looks like a bad street corner, bird style! I like how the one in the middle seems to be telling the story of how he fought of the flicker to his buddies.
Just to set the record straight - although the numbers of European Starlings have declined dramatically, they are still plentiful in Great Britain. Also, they raise their own young and do not parasitise other species. The reason that British settlers took them to the US was that they wanted to take every species that was mentioned by William Shakespeare.
That is why you also have our dear old House Sparrow!
In return, we have your Grey Squirrel in GB which has caused the almost extinction of our own Red Squirrel.
Dave Hassell.
Last edited by Dave Hassell; 04-02-2010 at 08:38 PM.
Reason: Added note
For an image of six starling this one is quite interesting. The grouping is just perfect and the landing bird is the bomb; does look like a street corner gang. The only thing that bugs me is the dark area upper left center....
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