I wasn’t the only person who noticed the huge murmuration of European Starlings at my local pond yesterday morning; other people stopped and admired them too.
Flock of European Starlings landing on the edge of a pond – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Put quite simply, it would be hard to ignore tens of thousands of the European Starlings in a murmuration. Their movement in the air is graceful and almost hypnotic. How so many of the starlings fly so close together in what appears to be a choreographed sky dance without slamming into each other amazes me.
As I stood behind my tripod, photographing the murmuration of thousands of starlings, I could hear the ‘whoosh’ of their beating wings and flight calls over the sound of nearby interstate traffic.
Murmuration of European Starlings blasting off – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
While I photographed the starlings, other people came up to ask me about these birds. I found it refreshing that they didn’t hate these introduced starlings; as so many people do, they were simply amazed by seeing them in this kind of mesmerizing flight.
Murmuration of European Starlings over an urban pond – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There were other birds nearby, but the murmuration of these starlings—lifting off, landing, and taking to the air—could not be ignored. They were spectacular.
Large flock of European Starlings on the wing – Nikon D500, tripod mounted, f8, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The starlings put on a fantastic show, and I was grateful to be in the right place at the right time with my camera to photograph them.
I know other people despise, or even hate, these birds; I can’t, I won’t. I see their beauty. Yesterday, I could feel it too as I watched them dance in the sky.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my European Starling photos plus facts and information about this species.
Absolutely fascinating shots. I think I recall from one of your earlier posts that these Starlings were introduced to the Americas, but I didn’t know they were (are) generally detested by people. Like you, I can appreciate them for what they are…immigrants or not. Thanks Mia.
The coot is completely unfazed. 😂 The starlings are magical.
Wow! I dont mind a few, but shoo them away when they mob my feeders. But they are beautiful in the winter, and a murmuration in the wild… stunning!
Wow that is neat. I love watching them, I have also found often there are blackbirds in the large groups too.
What an amazing thing to see in person. Lucky, lucky, lucky.
Amazing sight I have only seen on tv. Wonderful that you could experience it in person! I also thought the poor ducks didn’t know what to do! 😉
Wow, what a great experience to witness a murmuration of starlings like that. Amazing
Amazing to see.-Jeri S.
And the American Coot watching it all in the first two photos. I am amazed at murmurations & how they avoid each other.