An unusual emissary of Christmas cheer perhaps but it works for me.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Yesterday afternoon one of my local ponds was once again slow for birds but this European Starling showed me some mercy when ‘he’ came in close and posed in nice light with the pond in the background. Normally I’m not much of a starling fan but this time of year in particular you’d have to be blind not to admire or at least appreciate their truly spectacular iridescence and plumage patterns.
I was struck by this bird’s bicolored bill. During the breeding season European Starlings have yellow bills but by early winter the bill of most (though not all) starlings darkens to gray-brown or black. The bill of this bird is somewhere in-between.
Starlings have ‘attitude’ soaked to their core. As can be seen here that aggressive demeanor is often apparent even in their manner of walking.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Here he’s expressing his assertiveness once again. Notice the orange blob at the right edge of the frame. Any guesses as to what it is?
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
It was the very tip of the bill of a female Mallard hybrid about to swim by within inches of him. I believe he took exception to her coming in so close.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I quite like this shot of him against the blues of the pond ripples even though the photo would have been better if he’d turned his head a bit more toward me. I got one shot like that but his head was slightly soft.
So what’s the logic, if any, of my choice to post photos of a starling on Christmas morning? I no longer have family at home or even nearby so I stopped putting up a Christmas tree about 15 years ago. But to my eye this starling is as spangly and bright as any well-decorated Christmas tree so for this year he’ll serve as my substitute for today’s Christmas post. Maybe that’s a bit of a stretch but I’m often willing to allow birds a little extra leeway, even starlings. Besides, that splash of yellow on his bill sure looks like an angel atop the tree to me…
As is our tradition we’ll spend part of this Christmas morning out photographing birds where we’ll likely have the place mostly to ourselves (although this year that could be different.) For us that kind of solitude while photographing birds is at least as gratifying as opening presents beneath a Christmas tree. Hopefully our Christmas presents this year will be some special photos. For us it doesn’t get much better than that.
Even though this holiday season has extraordinary challenges I hope all of my readers get to celebrate the occasion in a manner that is special to you. My blog followers mean a lot to me and many of you have become what I consider to be dear friends.
So I wish for all of you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ron
Belated Christmas Ron! I truly enjoyed your pics today. I recently moved from Carefree, AZ to St George and we had so many starlings there and I’ve always admired their colors also. Love the duck in the background. What a super photo bomb! The harrier is alway a pleasure. She looks like a ballet dancer with her twist. Lovely.
This species can generate many conflicting feelings and its side must have something to do with it. In good light, its plumage radiates a thousand lights while it can appear dark from another angle. And what about its sometimes hoarse and sometimes melodious song. The starling is the only bird I know of whose mandibles have more strength when opening than when closing. A trait that allows it to forage for food in a different way from other bird species. What beautiful photos once again of this unique species which enriches our avifauna! A real nice Christmas present, Ron.
This is a beautiful bird. I like to watch them fly in large flocks. And I hope your Christmas morning was people-scarce and bird-heavy.
What a beautiful bird’s photos you have shared with us. Hope you had a very nice holiday
Wow such a good capture of the luminescence. Merry Christmas, Ron!
Moonless midnight skies – at least in the Sierra above the light pollution! Thanks for a great bird year.
Merry Christmas, Ron. The starling photos make a very nice Christmas present. Thank you.
This beautiful starling reminds me of lustreware ornaments (and other various and sundry tchotchkes) from the post-war era.
I feel like I get a special gift from you and this wonderful community each and every day. ❤️
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too Ron.
Merry Christmas to all y’all, critters included!
This is hoping that you have a wonderful Christmas, Ron! Starlings are quite pretty and I enjoyed your shots of him, I remember as a kid my Mom being very upset with the Starlings pecking holes in the cherries and stealing what they didn’t destroy. So here in the Kootenay area we are starting to get some water fowl, the Common and the Barrows Goldeneye are here and the beautiful Trumpeter Swans are here feeding and resting. Happy New Year to you as well Ron, keep safe. I look forward to you Blog, more than you will know!
Thank you for all the warm holiday greetings everyone!
We just returned from our Christmas morning of shooting. There may have been just a few more folks out and about than on a typical Christmas morning but the difference was barely noticeable and we even found a few interesting birds. Downloading the photos now….
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Greetings Ron. Your thoughtful dedication of time to produce Feathered Photography is appreciated; the photos, avian creatures and others–wild and human–in nature who cross your way. Your observation notes on wildlife behavior are wonderful, as are the personal stories that you have shared. Over the years I’ve come to know you and other folks in the blog forum community you’ve created, so thanks! Seasons Greetings and Merry Christmas to you and yours. On to 2021…
Merry Christmas Ron. Starlings are beautiful and full of personality. I like them except when they mob my suet feeders and eat it all in a few minutes. I hope you found some nice shots this morning and the refuge was void of other humans. I opted to stay home and watch what birds I have. Plus I just plain have a busy day to add to it Jon decided he Jon wants a haircut right now and to rearrange the spice area over the range, right where I need to cook.
Marriage at holidays can be stressful at my house!
Striking photos with the blue water in the background. A reminder there’s beauty in all of us. Thanks Ron. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a healthy and happy new year.
I’ve always admired the lovely feather suits worn by starlings that drop into my fountain for a drink, though I know they have a bad rep in the bird world. So I’m very appreciative of your Christmas Starling and her brilliant sheen.
Wishing my fellow FP fans and our fearless leader peace, love, joy and birds on this Christmas Day and into the new year! 🎄
Thanks Ron.
Christmas Day is done and dusted here. Ours was quiet and lovely. I hope you, and all of your readers/commentators get everything they could hope for.
And yes, the starling IS beautiful – as so many birds are.
Merry Christmas, Ron. I know starlings have a bad reputation among birders but I think they have many positive aspects as well and beauty can be one of them. I’m going to suggest that this bird is a female. The difference between male and female is nearly impossible to see in the field. However, the difference is clear in good photos, like yours. Look at the base of the bill. It looks slightly pinkish. That’s a female trait. Males show a pale blue. (I know, it sounds made up but it really is pink=female and blue=male.) There are other very subtle differences but you need male and female side-by-side to see them.
Wishing you and your fans a very Merry Christmas and look forward to a much happier New Year giving you many great photo opportunities!
Merry Christmas! I don’t often comment but I want you to know that your blog is a bright spot of my day! Thank you for all you share.
Add my vote in favor of the Starling as Official Christmas Bird…for all the reasons you put forward. Any human special effects artist who isn’t awed and humbled by the iridescent spectacles evolution has given us in bird feathers is woefully under experienced. I was once an entomologist. For more Christmas iridescence candidates have a look at just a few species of Chalcidid wasps. Most are garishly colorful as well as morphologically complex in appearance. A large fraction are also as spectacularly flashy as this starling. Though relatively common most are so tiny few people have ever noticed them. Bravo for an inspiring holiday post!
Merry Christmas! There is a book called “Mozart’s Starling” it explores the beauty and intelligence of the bird.
Merry Christmas, Ron. I second everything that Judy said! You bring joy to my inbox every morning. May your day in the field be filled with beautiful birds in good light!
I’m so glad you chose these shots as your Christmas “ornaments”–
I had no idea that starlings could be so beautiful–here in southern Utah,
they’re always covered with dust ! Your work and thought bring meaning,
beauty, and education to every new day–I can’t think of better gifts to give
the world, and especially to your friends, as all of your readers are in spirit.
Thanks Ron. Euro Starlings are indeed spectacular. How’s your r5 working out? Aside from battery life, I have found it to be a marked improvement over the 7d2.
Merry Christmas. The book “Arnie the Darling Starling” comes to mind.
I am so happy I found your blog/beautiful photos/nature comments. It has made my life better.
Thank You,
Kaye
Park City, UT
I agree about the starlings…when they are in this plumage they are attractive and are forgiven for their deeds. Celebrating Christmas was different this year with trying to do some reasonable form of social distancing but thankful to have a very large room to gather in with my children and of course masks, no food or hugs but love for each other was still there. We’ve always celebrated on the Eve so they could go to ‘the other side’ on the ‘Day’ …so my day always involves a bit of Christmas birding for me. Hope your day is successful… Merry Christmas!
When the light is “right” the starlings ARE beautiful! 😀 Merry Christmas to you and all your followers – it’s a special community led by a special man..😀
It is indeed a special community, Judy. And thanks for the very kind words.
This species definitely is generally reminiscent of a Christmas ball, so definitely this posts resonates with me. I was into birds a long time before I observed my first Starling and it was a rather shocking experience – how did I miss this I asked myself.
Merry Christmas Ron, your blog and your outlook on things resonates with me too!
My early experience with starlings was similar to yours, Gary. I was literally shocked the first time I saw one in this plumage in good light.
Always good to see your name pop up. Reminds me of how much I enjoyed your images and your positive influence on NPN back in the day…
What, you couldn’t come up with a partridge in a pear tree, 2 turtledoves, 3 French Hens, 4 calling birds, 6 geese a-laying, and 7 swans a-swimming?
Well, guess we will have to settle for the Euro Starling. Beautiful very colorful choice though.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family and to all your Feathered followers.
Everett, I think 7 swans a-swimming is probably the only one one your list I could have come up with…
The essence of iridescence. Love to hate them and hate to love them. Peace on earth and goodwill toward starlings. And everything else.
“Love to hate them and hate to love them”
I think that describes how a lot of folks feel about starlings. Thanks, Lyle.
Just proves that a “common” bird can be “uncommonly” beautiful. Merry Christmas to Ron and all!
Agreed. Thanks, Kenneth.
Your photos are always beautiful and I continue to learn from them every day. Thank you for sharing them. Have a peaceful, Merry Christmas, and a New Year filled with birds in good light!
Thanks, Liz. A New Year filled with birds would be a wonderful Christmas or New Year’s present, no matter the light.
What a stunning photo! Thank you and Merry Christmas to you!
Thanks, Cindy.
By the time I read your explanation of your reason for including the starling (he’s as “spangly and bright as any well-decorated Christmas tree”) I’d already thought how remarkably he resembled some of the old glass ornaments I admire. I think he’s a perfect bird for celebrating the day. Merry Christmas, and all good wishes for a birdiful New Year!
I’m relieved! I thought I might be the only person in the universe that thought a European Starling (species name ‘vulgaris’ of all things) would be a proper representative for Christmas. Thank you, Shoreacres.