Flight of the Starlings Photo

Photographer’s Note

Starlings or "stuckies" as we know them around here lift on mass at night fall or day break.

Wee note on Starlings in this picture
i think they were maybe about 800 yards away which makes them just a wee bitty blobby in the middle :)

Although considered on the RSPB's red list for various reasons anyone who sees them take off at night or the morning would not consider this to be the case

Red list for reference from the RSPB's web site
Red list criteria

* Globally threatened
* Historical population decline in UK during 1800–1995
* Severe (at least 50%) decline in UK breeding population over last 25 years, or longer-term period (the entire period used for assessments since the first BoCC review, starting in 1969).
* Severe (at least 50%) contraction of UK breeding range over last 25 years, or the longer-term period

This was a quick fire snap taken free hand so apologies for any blurred edges.
PPW
nothing adjusted colour wise
left contrast etc as was
blurred the clouds a bit as the image was noisy due to low light, long freehand exposure and lowish grade camera
cropped
Added a frame
comments appreciated as ever..

worldcitizen has marked this note useful

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worldcitizen (2305) 2009-10-26 16:34

Hello John,
I like the color of the sky and the silhouettes of the trees, but to my eye the starlings are a bit far away to make a strong impact in the frame. Still, I do like the atmosphere in this photo. I think many of the starlings are now residing here in NY. I see tons of these birds all the time. They are clever and try to puncture holes in garbage bags whenever possible!! :-)