Tuesday, January 21, 2014

A Pretty Pest

We woke up to a couple of inches of snow on the ground and it's still pouring down with up to five inches expected before it's over. It's a chilly 22 degrees with 23mph winds making a windchill of around 10 degrees. Not nearly as cold as the polar vortex we previously experienced but still a day to stay inside by the fireplace. Of course the birds flocked to the feeders. The cardinals, the chick-a-dees, the woodpeckers, and the juncos have all made appearances. The always  pesky starlings who want the seed all to themselves have also showed up on this very cold and snowy day. I have made them scatter a couple of times but I know they are hungry too so I let them snack while I took a few shots.

Pesky or not you have to feel a little sorry for them in this weather.
Such pretty feather patterns.

Linking up to Wild Birds with Stewart.

28 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

they are so beautiful. i love the hearts on their undersides. :)

Karen said...

I think Starlings have beautiful markings! I had a flock of about 15 fly in and devour the suet this morning, but they have to eat too! Terrific captures!

Nicki said...

incredible detail. we're in the same boat weather wise - ugh!

Anonymous said...

Yes, I often have felt the same. They can be surprisingly pretty at certain times of the year.

eileeninmd said...

They do have pretty colors and markings. It is a shame they are such piggies and take over the feeders. Carletta, have a happy day!

Ela said...

It's very original bird with beautiful feathers. Greetings !

Gordon said...

Truly great shots of the Starling, but please keep the snow over there, we have been lucky so far.
All the best Gordon.

HansHB said...

Your starlingphotos are great!
Well done!

Nancy said...

I always feel so sorry for animals outside in the snow...So glad you take the time to feed these lovely creatures....

Hootin Anni said...

They may be pesky, but oh such pretty images you've captured.

Odd, but we have a lot of starlings here in South Texas and yet to see any at our many feeders. Hmmmm.

Stay warm.

Unknown said...

They might be a pest, but they're gorgeous birds.

Carole M. said...

brrrr, but you got beautiful snaps of this photogenic bird

Betsy Banks Adams said...

As much as I don't care for the greedy and bully Starlings, I do feed them when we have snow and cold temps... Even THEY have to eat..

We only got about 2 inches of snow (enough for me) --but it was SO pretty. Going down to 5 degrees.

Hugs,
Betsy

genie said...

It’s still snowing here and getting really cold again. I am so tired of winter. The birds are eating everything I put out. They are coming out of the woodwork. Nice shots of the starlings. Lots of detail. Hope you don’t get anymore of the white stuff.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Yep they are pretty, but there are too many and they lay their eggs in other birds' nests. So many of them here and grackles too.

Linda said...

Lovely series, Carletta!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

They are pretty birds. I haven't seen any here this winter although there were some around last winter.

Red said...

Starlings also bring along a few friends. We don't see that coloration here.

Gail Dixon said...

They really are beautiful and their markings at this time of year are so dramatic. Wonderfully captured!

DeniseinVA said...

I know they can be voracious but their feathers are so pretty. 5 inches of snow here.

JoAnn ( Scene Through My Eyes) said...

I'm glad we aren't having the snow - but our son and DIL are getting some in Kenova. I hope the weather warms a bit for all of you in the cold areas.

Oh the pretty hearts on the bird - one of my favorites.

diane b said...

Your photos help me cool off. It is so hot here that we have to stay inside in the air conditioning. The starling is pretty even though a pest

Ida said...

I'm feeling for everyone with all that snow. - It's cold here today but clear out.

So happy you let these birds enjoy some of the food too. I put out food for birds and the crows come to eat the peanuts. My hubby hates crows but they have to eat too. These birds have pretty colors on their wings and those little hearts are adorable.

kayerj said...

the starlings arrive here in flocks and eat the seeds out of the lawns.

Rose said...

We only got a little bit this time around...only supposed to get up to about 7 tomorrow the last I heard.

Roger and I are both so glad we don't have to get out and go anywhere in weather like this!

OH! Forgetting to say these are some great photos. They really are a pretty bird when you look at them.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Great images. I learned to love and appreciate them a few years ago ;)

Wally Jones said...

You know you're a really good photographer when you can elicit so many comments about how beautiful your shots of Starlings are!

Nice work!

--What's snow??-- :)

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Starlings are pretty, but I wish they would travel on somewhere else. They are a nuisance!