I have come to love Grackles, and am amazed at their numbers in certain areas -- most notably by Kroger stores come to think of it -- when they alight in trees and on electrical lines at sunset.
At certain times of year there are flocks of some kind black birds that fly together in what looks like a dark cloud (they could be grackles but seem smaller). I will have to ask someone at the wildlife center or the zoo who knows what they are and what the cause for this pattern is. The cloud morphs in front of your eyes as the birds change direction in unison. A few days ago I saw a group who had come to rest and had to pull over and shoot it. I bought a fancy high def movie camera but so far only shoot the little movies you see here with my digital camera...
I love how the tight black lines criss cross against the canvas of blue and pink sky while black dots become black bodies with wings. Very arty of the gods to juxtapose such elements, to delight the souls who notice. If only there was a way for you to view these videos full screen...
For their number, the birds were relatively quiet -- much quieter than the wind and traffic. But there is a deafening chirp-fest that goes on in the trees at dusk that clearly reveals that the branches are full of birds, though it's really hard to see any. It always makes me smile, and I often stop to marvel at it. I have come to call it Grackle Happy Hour. I managed to snag an example of it for you.
Today I was driving home with frozen yogurt and went by a tree in the middle of the road where you could really hear them. I had to capture it for you. I did a U-turn, flicked my camera on and hung my arm out the window (I wasn't seeing what I got, just hoped for the best as it was about sound anyway) and drove slowly by this tree. I think I've got it (turn up the volume) and the ice cream didn't melt too badly in the process.
And notice --- you don't see ONE bird, do you???? Has anyone else observed this phenomenon?
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6 comments:
Sydney, that was unbelievable!
I have never seen so many birds on the lines like that, ever!
They are so densely packed in that I thought I was looking at thick black lines!! That was brilliant :)
...and yes, you have piqued my curiosity....how does a tree full of birdsong make noise when there are no birds to be seen?????
It's like some zen riddle :)
Thank you
xxsm
Syd, almost a year ago you commented on my blog about a post you had read and enjoyed that i had deleted. I think I have reposted it now. Please let me know if it is the right one.
Sorry for not keeping in touch this year, excuse blah blah blah, but now i live on the opposite side of the country and there was a long period of unsettledness (no internet) in between.
Sydney.... this was great and brought back memories of long ago. When I was little and my dad would take us on a Sunday drive, we would see the birds landing on the wires, so thick you couldn't tell they were birds (as you indicated). We were always concerned that they would be electrocuted, since most of the wires back then were electric, not telephone.
But my father would always reassure us... if it was a Sunday it was that the birds were in Sunday School and a weekday was simply that they were in school.
I still look up when I drive when there are wires above ground, just to see the birds. I pointed it out to one of my grandsons, just the other day and told the story of when I was little. He's 20 and had never noticed. Of course, there aren't that many above ground wires around anymore.
And I have seen the birds change position and always in unison.
Thanks for the memories.
FUnny you should say tha tMEB, I saw all the ones directly above my head seemingly turn 180 degrees all in unison. It happened so fast I figured that my eyes had tricked me, since i was looking into the light. But it seemed their tails just did a turn as if they were little weather vanes, and the entire line did an about face. They were more in sycn than the Rockette's legs!
Sweet Mango -- it IS like a zen riddle isn't it?!?!?!
Nomad -- I am SO glad you stopped by and even more glad that you re=posted. I love your writing and I related so fully to your subject matter. I visited there today already and will comment when I go back.
Starlings. The big black cloud that migrate during rush hours. Do they relocate during the day for work and return home in the evening?
oh i love that sound!! that was so cool.. you couldn't even see them..
ya know what hangs out at the target stores here in Mpls..
seagulls... no kidding! i will send you a video if you must see proof :)
my son & i were shocked when we moved here ..this is minnesota.. have renamed them targulls...
apparently they stop for goods on the way done the mississippi
;)
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