Plus a bike-riding raven and a motorcycle-riding owl.
In over 13 years of publishing 4196 blog posts to Feathered Photography (averaging 313 posts per year), only three of those posts have been devoted exclusively or primarily to European Starlings. Despite my reservations about starlings, I figured it’s about time for another one.
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Nine days ago on Antelope Island, starlings were the most abundant birds I saw (Western Meadowlarks came in a close second.) These four were perched on the hump of a grazing bull bison and since I didn’t have nearly enough depth of field to get all four birds sharp, I hoped to get takeoff or flight shots I liked.
That didn’t work out for a variety of reasons.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But 16 minutes later I had better luck with another starling perched on sagebrush. This time I actually started my burst before the bird took off, so…
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I caught ‘him’ with his wings held vertically before the first downward power-flap.
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The timing of my shutter was in sync with his wing beats so his wings were in a vertical position in…
1/6400, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
all of my takeoff and flight shots. That isn’t necessarily a good thing. For the sake of variety I’d have preferred to get at least one shot with his wings in the down position.
I didn’t have a lot of luck with other birds that morning but as I was preparing to leave the island I got some shots of a Common Raven that are nothing if they aren’t unique, at least in my portfolio.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The raven was preening while perched atop a display bike from Antelope eBikes, an ebike rental establishment at the marina. While the raven was preening I never once got light on its face or in its eye but eventually I got this profile shot that I think works pretty well.
I was too close to get the entire bike in the frame. This shot was taken vertically.
After a mostly unsuccessful morning on the island I didn’t think I’d be smiling as I drove toward home along the causeway but this raven plastered a big grin on my face. I’ve photographed a…
fledgling Great Horned Owl on a motorcycle before but never a raven on an ebike.
Ron
Notes:
- Soon after I published this post, another apparent insomniac, my ex-wife and still good friend Diane Olson, sent me the link to a video of a starling making some of the incredibly varied sounds they’re so well known for. Back in the day (when we were still married) Diane and I used to call starlings “rubber band birds”, because some of the sounds they make sound like a twanging rubber band.
- If you’re wondering why I’m posting so early this morning, it’s because I couldn’t sleep last night. I’ve been up since 1:45 AM. I don’t think I have a guilty conscience about anything, at least not at the moment, so I’m not sure why I had such a short night. The clairvoyant in me sees a nap in my near future, maybe more than one.
Never knew that European Starlings were such good mimics! The one in the video could hold its own with any of its Mynah cousins. As usual, it’s not their fault they’re invasive.
Love the Biker Raven (and the vroom vroom owlet)! I see “Nap Redux” in your future.
“I see “Nap Redux” in your future.”
Absolutely no question about that, Marty. I’ve already had one nap and I suspect I’ll go down again after lunch.
It seems that too many people really dislike starlings, and there are some good reasons foe doing so, but as a result, they miss the beauty and many fascinating adaptations they have. Since they are non-native they are not protected by federal law. You don’t need to go through much of the permit process to study these birds. Because of that there are many things we have learned about avian physiology and biology by studying starlings and we can apply to other birds. I had a friend from Britain who lamented about the disappearance of starlings in her home town and talked about how much she miss seeing the large gatherings and murmurations. (Several videos of this behavior are easily found online). As for voice, they seem noisy to us but they are incredible mimics. I once had a list of birds that I had heard starlings mimic. There were over 40 species on that list. And of course, many people have heard about Mozart’s pet starling who knew many of his tunes. Thanks for giving them some space to show some of their beauty in contrast to the negatiity I typically hear. .
I should mention one other thing. Sitting on the bison is not just using them as a perch. They often remove ticks and othe ectoparasited from the backs of large mammals. I have often seen then on grazing elk.
Dan, I’ll admit to some ignorance here. I’d never heard of Mozart’s starling mimicking his works. I’m going to check into that further.
Starlings are such beautiful birds! And when do you think the GHO fledging hatched?
“There were over 40 species on that list.”
That’s amazing when you think about it.
oops. Somehow the n got deleted from the end of my name. Sorry.
Oh, and nice raven and owl shots too. 🙂
Thank you, Patrick.
Another great post Ron. Thank you.
Growing up in Ireland, I was often enthralled by the aerial acrobatics of starling flocks (murmurations), not so much though the cacophony of huge flocks perched in groups of trees (especially in winter). Starlings may be the bane of a number of our native species, but they are still interesting to watch. They are successful invaders for a reason. Just a few weeks ago, I was surprised to see a large flock perched in a half dozen leafless trees here in the San Joaquin Valley. Re. the foursome perching on the bison, do you ever see them providing any services to their hosts (e.g., parasite removal)?
Patrick, only occasionally have I seen starlings feeding on bison ectoparasites. Mostly they just seem to be using the bison as (mobile) elevated perches.
Far more often I see magpies feeding on insects on bison.
Big grin here, too, Ron! I never get tired of owls OR ravens. Thanks for a great start to the morning.
Thank you, Ellen. Glad you enjoyed them.
Fun post Ron. If you had not said anything about the bison I was thinking it was a dead one they were perched on. Not many people like Euro Starlings, but they are actually pretty handsome birds. I know that around the country people get to see them by the thousands, but here we are lucky to see a small handful once a year.Fun shots of the Owl and Raven. Big wet heavy slushy snow here this morning. Hope you get some sleep tonight.
Thanks, Everett. I just looked out the window. It’s been raining while I was napping.
I laid out the cards for you. Your psychic self is goooood. Cards said a nap by 11. 🙂
The cards were late, Arwen. I was in lala land by 7:45. Just got up. There may be another…
I LOVED all parts of your post today ! Because they are so greedy
and noisy, it’s easy to overlook starlings’ real physical beauty– and
I enjoyed the “rubber band concert” very much…..the raven on the
eBike shot is wonderful compositionally, not just as a novelty– it
made me imagine the musicians of Bremen town on a unicycle !
“made me imagine the musicians of Bremen town on a unicycle”
I had to do some research on that one, Kris. My knowledge of the Brothers Grimm just expanded a little.
That shot of the Raven on an E-Bike is a keeper – love it! Makes me smile.
The starling photos are real nice photos. Despite their persona non grata status I have always considered them beautiful birds!
They’re definitely beautiful, Joanne – especially in the right light.
Interesting series, Ron. 🙂 Fortunately, we don’t get a lot of Starlings here and all I remember hearing is the squawks….. 😉 Thx Diane for coming up with that! The ARE pretty in a weird sort of way.
Wondered if the owl was at the farm…… 🙂
Naps are a good thing….Winter Storm Warning on here – just getting started – will be a good days for a nap or 2….. 😉
Thanks, Judy. I just got up from nap #1… 🙂
Thanks for the Starling coverage. I think they get a bad rap, mostly undeserved, for a bird with such interesting behaviors and complex vocalizations.
Glad you like it, Brett. I try to like them more than I do…
I don’t know when or how I found your postings – but it has been a very interesting experience. My days always start off with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and then opening your email post reminder. After that I am ready to face a new day. Thanks Ron for years of enjoyable early mornings. 💚
Your comment is very much appreciated, Mark. It helps to make it all worth it.
“In over 13 years of publishing 4196 blog posts to Feathered Photography”
Boy, do I ever feel like a newbie to FP. Wish I had stumbled across your site sooner.
Think I have the same reservations about European Starlings as you do. That aside, I did enjoy these photos. That first shot caught my eye before reading the text. I had just started my morning cup of coffee, so I kept staring and blinking as my mind tried to make sense of what the heck it was they were standing on. Never would have guessed…
The Raven on the ebike is interesting for its uniqueness and the color continuity of black on black against the blue sky. But the owl on that classic old Honda takes the prize.
Thanks, Michael. On the island it’s pretty common to find starlings on bison (magpies too).
That old Honda on the MT family farm belonged to my cousin Ken Dudley. I suspect you know enough about my very close relationship with Ken to understand why that photo means so much to me.