Invasion of the Blackbirds
Posted By FarmerJ on November 13, 2010
It’s common to hear the buzz of an OH-58 or feel the rumble of a CH-47 as it flies over the Farmstead, so us girls don’t sit up and take note to that too much anymore ~ unless it’s to run out and wave to the pilot(s). However, the girls and I heard quite an unusual ruckus the other day. And, what we saw was truly a sight to behold!
Literally thousands of blackbirds had decided the Farmstead was a good place to land, regroup and rejuvenate before taking flight again. I had been vacuuming, and thought I could hear something odd over Mr. Bissell’s wail, and I was right. [You know something is loud if you can hear it over Mr. Bissell.] I glanced at Abigail, who was sitting upright on the back of the couch cushion, radar dishes fully extended, and hackles up from head to tail.
When I turned my attention to the French doors off the living room, I saw the above convention taking place. The photo, as it never does, does no justice to the conglomeration of epic proportion. The trees are not only blocking the view of more birds in the alfalfa field, but they themselves are loaded with birds.
When I lowered my gaze to the yard below the deck, there were more blackbirds. Imagine the same consistency of black specks throughout the entire yard to the left and to the right.
And, there were more coming in for a landing ~ in droves! What the photos cannot capture is the extraordinary sound. The chatter these birds were making was incredible. It reminded me of spring when the geese migrate, but they’re usually fairly high overhead. These boys were right in our face!
Then, like when a magician waves his wand over his top hat and says, “Poof!”, they were gone…and silence was once again restored…
…well, except for the wails of Mr. Bissell. ♥
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First the black flies, now the black birds. Good thing I come in the summer when all we have to worry about is that dang weather alarm of yours. hehehehe See ya soon, buddie!
Am so excited…come on cereal deal.
Those are Starlings, not blackbirds. Starlings are passerine birds, whereas the common blackbird, or what we typically refer to as ‘blackbirds’ are thrushes. Just like – OW! she hit me!
Oh, I’m sorry, Lovie. Did my elbow accidentally run into the back of your head?
LOL I wish I had trees! I miss the birds. We have some here, and a lot of small doves that hunters prize. (Each one seems to be about 2 bites big)
Starlings are cool to watch though!
hugs you 2
mel
I know what you mean, Mel. We didn’t have nearly the variety of birds in Arizona ~ I didn’t know what we were missing until we moved here.
As you can see, I still have some learning to do as far as knowing which are which…but, I know I can count on Husbie to correct me when I’m wrong! Heehee!
Hugs and love to you.