common starling

I've not uploaded a Starling for a while. Through the window, and backlit. Now for the part that's relevant to Carole and Ove (and maybe other FZ45 users): I've been testing out the Intelligent Resolution on the FZ45; which basically sharpens edges and smooths flat areas (that's the theory at...

Not sure about this, as the harsh light spoiled it in a few places, but I'm uploading it anyway. Through the window as usual

Awkward light for this, but I like the pose of the dejected-looking parent. It actually looked like the juve was scolding the parent for not bringing back food. And it wouldn't surprise me if that's what was happening.|=)| Through the window as usual. I'm going to try to get to the Reservoirs...

I was saving my last upload, as I'm watching the garden for Sparrowhawks, but I've changed my mind. The neighbours washing line spoils this (I'll be jumping over the fence in the middle of the night, holding a pair of scissors |=)|), but I might not get a better shot, so I'm uploading it...

Another from the Reservoirs (where I'm going tomorrow even if it kills me|=)|)

With uploading Kestrel and Gosling pics, I forgot about the other pics I took; so here's a Starling. A bit distant, but I like the setting and lighting.

One of the many pics I've neglected, due to uploading Sparrowhawks. Speaking of which: One just landed on the fence at the other side of the "waste-ground". He spooked everything, looked around for a minute - then flew down - low and fast - and then up, to land on the wire fence near...

I caught a few of these yesterday, in light that showed the plumage colours; this one was keeping in contact with a group that was a few yards away. All were backlit, but that's what Spot Metering is for. These birds look so different depending on how they're lit, but the plumage colours are...

I focused on the body, instead of the head, and it's a "white sky" job, but I'm pleased with the plumage colours. I couldn't do much more due to the angle and the light. Anyway, excuses over with, not through the window.|=)|

One of the times when the result was affected by the slow shutter speed. I'm happy with the body of the bird, but it moved it's head, so the head detail isn't like the rest. Camera Maker: Panasonic Camera Model: DMC-FZ28 Image Date: 2011-02-27 08:43:33 (no TZ) Focal Length: 83.2mm (35mm...

I get loads of chances of getting pics of Starlings bathing, but I can never quite get what I'm after. I want a sharpish Starling, but I want a slowish shutter speed for the water splashes. Oh, and decent light wouldn't hurt either|=)| The only way it might work, is if I catch the Starling...

Just to show that the Starlings also like the peanut butter. I fear that my garden bird population is about to change for good. The "waste ground" at the back of my garden is being turned into a lifeless concrete desert (Drains are being "fixed"). Until this morning, it was...

Almost got the result I wanted, but I couldn't move to the left without spooking the bird. Most of the birds tolerate my presence in the garden now, but I have to stay still if I want to get pictures. I can walk round the garden, and hand-feed the Pigeons, without troubling the other birds. But...

Well the Sun has gone again, only had 2 hours of decent light. Of those 2 hours, only a a few minutes with birds in the garden. The large Raptor, that some of you may remember me mentioning, showed up and took a Starling. Too quick for a decent view, but it was as I remember it from last time. I...

Another; "I'm not dead yet", posts I'm afraid.|=)| I'm not great ATM, but I might be back later and try and catch up with what I've missed. I did take a few pics out in the garden, as I was determined to get pics while the Sun was out (I know, I didn't believe it either.) Oh, notice...

This would have been one of my better Starling images. I caught it on the perch I wanted, and away from the feeders. I was even out in the garden, so not through the window. But unfortunately, I only got 1/30th second shutter speed; so it's not as sharp as it could have been. I doubt that I'll...

I warned you that I had a few pics of these.|=)| Looks like poor light for days now, so I doubt I'll get many new pics. Although poor light does favour the Sparrowhawks.

One of the Starling look-outs whistling. I think one of the reasons they keep whistling is to sort of say; "All clear", as if they stop, the other Starlings are suddenly more alert. But who, knows, maybe they just like whistling.|=)|

I've a few similar shots from yesterday, and I'm not sure which I like best, so this might be the first of a couple of Starling pics. I didn't get the exposure quite right, so had to correct it with software.

The Starlings have now got more used to my presence in the garden, so I thought I'd take advantage of that. I can't keep going out though, as it scares the Jays, as well as the Sparrowhawks. I'll be back later as I want to get more pics while I can. In a couple of weeks time I doubt I'll get...

In case you didn't know, these like the peanut butter too; in fact they prefer it over every other food that I offer (Peanuts, Seed, Apples, Fatballs, Bread). Unfortunately, this one was too late, the Dunnocks, Robins, Chaffinches, and Goldcrests, got there first. Oh, for those that read my...

I'm uploading this earlier than usual, as I'm watching the garden for most of the day. I just missed a male Sparrowhawk take a Sparrow, so I'm expecting another visitor later (it's poor light today, which the Sparrowhawks seem to prefer). This Starling was a bonus; I was taking pics of the...

I thought that I'd give the Goldcrest pics a rest, even though I've got a few to upload. This was heavily backlit, and I've not got the exposure quite right, but I've not uploaded a Starling for a while. Camera Maker: Panasonic Camera Model: DMC-FZ28 Image Date: 2011-02-08 11:10:28 (no TZ)...

As I said, I'll leave the Jays for a while until I can catch different behaviour or poses. Ove wants one laying on it's back, which might happen soon if whatever is hiding in the tree gets lucky.|=)| (Still no birds staying long in the garden, not even seen a Squirrel for long). Through the...

If you look carefully at this image, you can see the blurry Starling on the right shaking. And as it's shaking, it's spots are flying off. The spots are flying to the other Starling, so a transfer of spots is taking place. And that's how Starlings get their spots.|=)| As to how the other...