For some reason, a gang of grackles decided to invade the canna lilies this morning. While I'm no fan of these ruffians…they are quite striking. Here are a few shots I made before chasing them away.
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Quite the profile, eh? Note the oversized, saber-like beak, which these nasty-tempered birds quickly use on any and all who get in their way. |
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| A fantail spread from a bird who thinks it's hidden. |
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| The not-hidden-as-well-as-it-thought grackle giving me the evil eye. |
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Its cover blown, the grackle begins to protest…
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| A protest that continues… |
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…from low…
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| …and high… |
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| …until we establish who's the bigger, badder bird. |
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18 comments:
What a great series of pictures. They do seem to travel in gangs.
A couple of years ago we were staying in a hotel in Alberquerque and the trees around the hotel were the night-time roost of a gang of grackles. We had no idea what they were and they were fascinating - golly the noise they made! I love them Grizz. No doubt I would get fed up with them if I lived there all the time though.
Ellen…
Yup, there's no such things as one grackle. Handsome, though.
Weave…
The problem is that you can have grackles at your feeders, or all the other birds—but not both. Grackles are the most hoggish, mean-spirited bird I know. The only birds that will stand up to them are the larger woodpeckers. In addition, grackles are destructive, messy feeders; they will break down your flowers in no time, even tough, 3/4 in. in diameter canna lily stalks. Hard to keep 'em away, to boot, once they've discovered the free eats.
Trust me, you would have your fill of them around your dooryard in a single morning. Fun to watch in the wild—or someone else's yard—but not fun to have up close and personal.
They look a little bit miffed.
Wanda…
Miffed, indeed…but not yet offended to the point of going away mad. My work is not yet complete.
This post reminded me...I have a strange absence of grackles around here. As a matter of fact, I don't think I have seen a grackle yet this year. Glad they're alive and well in your neck of the woods! :)
Deb…
I almost never have grackles here—and have no idea how I've heretofore rated such a blessing. I just hope this isn't a sign of changing times…
Don't worry, though, I'm going to do my best to share such fine feathered gifts with you…I'll point them in the direction of Minnesota and say you have an abundance of treats waiting. No need to thank me.
Oh my God. What great photos!
Robin…
Thank you. They're really—much as I begrudge saying it—striking birds. I never did mange to capture a shot where their eyes are brilliantly yellow and the feathers reflect the full iridescence of blues and purples and similar shades right off the charts.
HI GRIZZ
great pictures - my goodness I felt like I could actually touch that grackle, despite how mean he looked. !!
You really are an amazing photographer and narrator of same. :-)
Love Gail
peace.....
p.s. our first reddened tomato has appeared, there are about 45 left on the plants finishing their green to red journey. :-) bring your salt shaker and come over in a couple of weeks and pick a few for yourself.
Fabulous, fabulous shots, Grizz!
Gail…
They not only look mean—they are, real bullies at the feeder. Thank you for your comments re. photos. I'm glad you liked the pix and post.
Now, about those tomatoes…don't think for a moment if we lived closer I'd wouldn't take you up on your offer. I love garden-fresh "real" tomatoes. A shaker of salt, maybe a drizzle of good olive oil. Ummmm-boy!
Julie…
Thank you, though IMHO, their beauty is only feather deep.
Looks like you got a full dressing down from the grackle. It amazes me that birds that seem so unappealing are sometimes quite beautiful.
KGMom…
Let's just say the dressing down was mutual, though the one I delivered was G-rated. Re. its good looks vs. bad personality/behavior—the old "you can't judge a book by its cover" adage rings true again.
Gorgeous shots, Grizz.... Just gorgeous!
Giggles…
Thank you. And spoken like a true birdwatcher…though if you saw how my patch of canna lilies looked after being grackle savaged, you would understand why "gorgeous" might not be the first adjective to cross my lips. ;-)
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