Tuesday, June 12, 2012

So Trashy


I found out these grackles weren't just sitting on the trash can to get some sun and have a chat. They were waiting for the other grackles already inside the trash can to leave so they could have lunch, too.





This grackle was apparently looking for nesting material or maybe just trying to clean things up a bit (I lean toward the former) and ended up getting string wrapped around its head.






Trashy though they may be at times, even grackles enjoy some summertime watermelon. The fact it has the consistency of jelly is apparently not a deterrent.





44 comments:

Carole M. said...

Such a magnificent photograph; the irridescence on those grackles is super! So many colours show.

Meggie said...

You have taken a very annoying bird (in my world) and given beauty to him in your photos! Very nice.....

Linda said...

I know they are considered nuisance birds, but I love their coloring. If you watch, it just glistens with all the different shades of purple and greens. Great shots!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Nice pics, but not nice birds!

NatureStop said...

Amazing shots and lovely lighting.Have a great day!

Shantana

Mary Howell Cromer said...

Oh Brian, these are all great fun. I like Grackles a lot!!!

Stewart M said...

Splendid birds - I have only seen them in dull light (and a little too far away) to see the colours in the plumage.

Barefoot bowls is good fun - but I am surprised more people have not picked up on the Lawn / Lorne Bowls aspect! Maybe you need an accent like mine for it to work!

Cheers - Stewart M

Nancy said...

Well, if nothing else, they are helping keep the land fills less full? :) Great shots.!

Amy Burzese said...

Good fun with nuisance birds. Those eyes are scary!

Alan Pavey said...

Fantastic images Brian!!

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Corvidos!!!.. Iguales en todas partes del mundo.. Saludos..

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Great photos! I would rather see these birds in your photos than to see them in my yard.

TexWisGirl said...

i like these fierce looking strutters. and the background colors you got in the first 2 shots are very nice.

Leenie said...

Nice work capturing the rainbow colors in their feathers and those wild white eyes. Even though some birds, like grackles, are kind of trashy in their approach to life I like their bravado and cleverness.

EG CameraGirl said...

You have captured crackles doing what they do best. :))

Carletta said...

Amazing shots!
Grackles usually steal all my birdseed and on any given day I could do without them. However, today I appreciate their beauty that you've captured so very well.
:)

Gail Dixon said...

Awesome series with perfect clarity! I'm one of the few who actually likes grackles. They're so colorful.

Modesto Viegas said...

Great captures!!!!

Anonymous said...

You captured the beauty of their iridescent feathers perfectly, Brian.
Great set of shots.

Unknown said...

Great series of shots. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy watching the Grackles, although they do tend to take over. These are great shots, capturing their lovely colors.

theconstantwalker said...

Fantastic images Brian.. they are birds i don't have over here so thanks for sharing them.

mick said...

Great photos. They are interesting birds to watch.

HansHB said...

Awesome shots! So lovely to see!
Happy WBW!

Adam Jones said...

Great shots Brian.

Pamela Gordon said...

Grackles are just small crows in disguise. They love garbage and picking at stuff. The photos are great but the one with the squishy watermelon kinda looks gross. lol

Connie Smiley said...

Fantastic shots of these beautiful birds! Such wonderful detail.

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

How does a bird eating birdseed at a bird feeder get accused of stealing the bird seed ... isn't that what it is out there for? You can't pick the birds that come to your feeder ... try enjoying each of them for what they are. I don't mind the grackle ... they come with a pack of bully birds, but the little birds learn how to deal with them and then everyone is happy. I am glad you took pictures of the Grackle ... they are beautiful in thier own way and the pictures capture that. Thanks Brian.

Andrea @ From the Sol

eileeninmd said...

They do have beautiful colors on them, Great shots.

Debbie said...

you have made them look beautiful. i love their eyes and their watermelon eatin' ways!!

Dina said...

Nice trash talk! It's fun to watch those crazy grackles. They do have a lot of personality.

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Ugh, there is nothing classy about grackles! Trashy suits them perfectly.

Deb said...

they are busy aren't they...great shots...

Valerie said...

Fabulous captures Brian. I've not heard of this bird before and wonder whether we have any in Australia. Thanks for sharing.

Faye said...

How polite of them to wait. And you must be a very patient and quiet photographer as well Brian for them to allow you to get such closeups.

Vores have said...

Very nice series you run. Wishing you a good day :) Hanne Bente

Hilke Breder said...

Your photos show me what a beautiful and entertaining bird the grackle is. Great shots!

Roan said...

You captured those mean/evil looking birds well. ;)

Liz said...

Great shots Brian! These Grackles look similar to our crows but with beautiful shiny colouring on their heads and wings. I love the way the light shows the colours.
You've managed to capture an annoying bird and make it quite beautiful. Well done!

Springman said...

That was fantastic Brian, I was hooked on the first shot. I loved the little drama with the string too. Bravo!

Adam Tilt said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Adam Tilt said...

Great sequence Brian. Never turn down a free meal.

Kathie Brown said...

Just wonderful shots of a common bird. The way they turn their beaks to the sky and strike a pose always amazes me. Love that you were able to capture that iridescent quality to their feathers!

Nature Rambles said...

Oh I just love those iridescent feathers! What a fantastic series of shots! Truly loved them all!!