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Friday, May 3, 2013

STARling WARS

I hated to depart from my peace-loving, hippie-titled posts of this week, but these shots were just begging for it. The peanut bar is a coveted hangout for the starlings, so when I fill it, there's always a big brouhaha. I love that word. It's so fun to write and say.
Somehow the baby downy found the bar before the starlings.



OH NO YOU DON'T!


If I have to lose a toe to stand my ground, so be it!
Air battles are the best, but very difficult to photograph.


AND STAY OFF!

Peace at last because the peanut station is empty.

40 comments:

  1. Buttons ThoughtsMay 3, 2013 at 5:57 AM

    Oh Gail I love that top photo. I love all your photos they make me smile. Thank you. B

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  2. AnonymousMay 3, 2013 at 7:41 AM

    Great action shots. That first one is great. I think that's a juvenile.

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  3. JoriMay 3, 2013 at 8:56 AM

    National Geographic, come hire Gail!!!!!!! Fabulous shots, love the one of the incoming bird. It looks like an angry bird!

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  4. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmMay 3, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    OMG, that 3rd picture is FANTASTIC! LOL.

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  5. Hootin AnniMay 3, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    I can't think of anything 'new' to post in my comment ---as always your photos are breathtaking...amazing...super...extraordinary!! These just speak volumes. What great action shots. Can I say action 'figures'? Since it's STARling wars? Forgive me. LOL

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  6. hootnonnyMay 3, 2013 at 9:31 AM

    LOL!

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  7. DeannaMay 3, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    Delightful!!

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  8. TexWisGirlMay 3, 2013 at 9:39 AM

    totally laughing at the end comment. :) that is some fierce fighting! sheesh!

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  9. UnknownMay 3, 2013 at 10:36 AM

    Oh my gosh girly, These photos are amazing. I love the in flight shots. So cool.

    Happy Friday.

    Hugs~

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  10. Linda at To Behold The BeautyMay 3, 2013 at 10:37 AM

    Your action shots are amazing. The detail in the spread wings and tails is stunning. I also love that last "peace" picture. The starling looks just a wee bit disgruntled.

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  11. renae May 3, 2013 at 10:53 AM

    Oh Gail! My grandmother hated starlings. She was always plagued by them. My Mom would plant her garden and have to have a scarecrow in it to ward off the dear starlings. You are nice to them, looks like. I just think they are hi-metabolized creatures of habit. Your photos show off their colors, that I had never realized. thanks. oh ...and congrats on the shopping spree. Yay!

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  12. A Creative GraceMay 3, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    Oh wow, these are stunning Gail, I do so enjoy your photography, I especially love the second one and the last one, peace at last! Hope you have a lovely weekend :)

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  13. Ruth HiebertMay 3, 2013 at 2:57 PM

    As much as I don't like Starlings,you have captured gorgeous pictures of them. I love all that action.

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  14. KerryMay 3, 2013 at 3:59 PM

    Great shots Gail. Boy they sure emptied that feeder in no time flat.

    I know a lot of people don't like starlings, and that they were introduced to this continent by Shakespeare enthusiasts who wanted every kind of bird he ever mentioned to live here. But they are amazing to watch when they're in big flocks, and they sing like crazy:)

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  15. Wally JonesMay 3, 2013 at 4:41 PM

    This is a really neat series, Gail!
    Wonderful detail and terrific action!
    You make the Starlings look good!

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  16. FrikoMay 3, 2013 at 4:45 PM

    These photographs are absolutely magnificent.

    I am always a bit worried about baby birds and whole peanuts. As birds don’t chew, babies might choke on a whole nut.

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  17. Chatty CroneMay 3, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    Oh my those photos were awesome! amazing. sandie

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  18. NancyMay 3, 2013 at 7:27 PM

    I know you had fun photographing all their antics.....they were really serious about those peanuts uh?
    Gail as always your photographs are amazing....

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  19. the wild magnoliaMay 3, 2013 at 7:43 PM

    Your photography skills are growing and growing. Your eyes for the shot is so good.

    Gorgeous actions!

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  20. the wild magnoliaMay 3, 2013 at 7:43 PM

    Your photography skills are growing and growing. Your eyes for the shot is so good.

    Gorgeous actions!

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  21. HilaryMay 3, 2013 at 9:19 PM

    Excellent shots, Gail! The action and the humour you've captured is just so entertaining. He was biting his foot and you caught that... amazing! And that young downy is just adorable.

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  22. BarbaraMay 3, 2013 at 10:06 PM

    These are AWESOME! I laughed and cried and winced and applauded. Epic battle scenes. :)

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  23. Brian KingMay 3, 2013 at 11:37 PM

    Awesome photos! It's nice to see starlings fighting each other for a change. Love the baby woodpecker shot, too!

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  24. eileeninmdMay 4, 2013 at 3:45 AM

    Wonderful series, my favorite is of the first Downy! The Starlings are piggies! Happy Weekend!

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  25. Optimistic ExistentialistMay 4, 2013 at 8:12 AM

    But I love peace-loving, hippie-titled posts :)

    I love these shots! Starlings usually get a bad name but these are beautiful!!

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  26. AnonymousMay 4, 2013 at 8:52 AM

    These are awesome shots and I think you captured the air battle pretty well my friend...and yes...I know I updated my button LOL I have a thought...I should email you about it... anyway...lovely photos as always...Big hugs...and hey...the sun is out today though it is still only 54 outside...this weather is insane. xoxo

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  27. La CollineMay 4, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    This was so-o-o exciting! I actually got caught up in the action and the toe peck got an out-loud reaction (oh-no, not the toe!).

    Excellent photography and spot-on dialogue with perfect rhythm; a peaceful start to a peaceful end.

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  28. IndraniMay 4, 2013 at 11:25 AM

    Wow! Great action shots!
    Total drama there. Enjoyed seeing them. :)

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  29. KarenMay 4, 2013 at 2:54 PM

    What a sweet baby woodie. Marvellous captures Gail!

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  30. Rambling WoodsMay 4, 2013 at 5:17 PM

    Great series...

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  31. PatriceMay 5, 2013 at 7:07 AM

    Wow!!! Love those shots of the fights...

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  32. AnonymousMay 5, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    These are great shots of the battle action! Those starlings can be a pain, but they're so photogenic!

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  33. Betty ManousosMay 5, 2013 at 10:24 AM

    oh my word!

    what a spectacular!
    love these shots!

    enjoy your sunday!

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  34. Charlotte WilsonMay 5, 2013 at 12:38 PM

    Are those last photos, starlings? We just got rid of our a few months ago. they hung around forever in their large numbers, making horrible noises. Remniscent of Hitchcock's movie The Birds.
    Gorgeous captures, Gail!

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  35. EG CameraGirlMay 5, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful - the shots and the commentary!

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  36. Sallie (FullTime-Life)May 6, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    Perfect post from the title on down! Not my fav bird, but your pictures make me smile!

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  37. AnonymousMay 6, 2013 at 2:06 PM

    Starling Wars...LOVE it!! Your captures are stunning!

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  38. Thistle Cove FarmMay 6, 2013 at 8:57 PM

    again, amazing photos...perfect! brouhaha IS such a fun word,I agree.

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  39. CloudiaMay 8, 2013 at 3:29 AM

    Wow super!


    Aloha

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  40. UnknownMay 9, 2013 at 5:25 PM

    These shots are absolutely spectacular!

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