undesirables I

Yes, they are considered by most to be vermin, scum, black plaques, undesirables and unwanted around the feeders and neighborhood. But how many of you have actually looked at them as just another of Gods birds trying to make his way in life. How many have actually thought to appreciate their tenacity, their persistence and even their survivability. Yes, they are bullies and there are billions of them it seems but that doesn't mean they can't be appreciated, especially since they are here to stay. In the right light they can be quite pleasant to look at. I actually went out of my way to attract them to "my studio" on the deck by obtaining a large piece of fat from the meat market to get some photo opportunities. Sometimes it isn't just about bright colors, sweet dispositions or being majestic. Sometimes it is all about a hungry bird during a harsh winter and it's surroundings and the opportunity it gives us to take some photos.

I'm sure there will be plenty of viewers that will look at the title and not even select it for viewing and there will be lots of others that will open the thread, see the first picture, realize the subject matter and leave before even giving them the chance but hopefully there will be a few who bother to really look at the subject and realize they can be quite beautiful and worth the effort and time to photograph. I can't begin to tell you how much fun I had and the enjoyment I got just watching the "flock" of these birds that enjoyed that piece of fat for two days.

Anyway, here goes.......let's see how they are received

Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

Yes its true, I have three at the feeder everyday and have not taken one shot of them, Great job with these

Great shots of a much maligned bird. I personally find them very attractive and would welcome them to my feeders. All good shots except #5 which is excellent

Well, I share your interest in their looks, and have taken several shots of them too, they have a very iridescent look in the right light. And attitude pls. But I don't really like them to be around, they do rob other birds' nests and are bullies at the feeders, especially in big numbers. Great shots, by the way The snow washes them out a bit, maybe add a bit more contrast or clarity? Just a thought.

Nice series.

Excellent shots

Great shots. As you say a beautiful bird if you take the time to look. I think people including togs look down on them because they are so plentiful and easy to photograph. Reduce there numbers to a couple of thousand and people will be tripping over each other to see one.

Nice photos. I like the first, hunkered down, shot.

but...what is it? I think I fully read the original post and replies...but do not seem to find this bird's identity. Did I miss it?

I think they are beautiful! Great shots too! Like you said, just another one of God's creatures...

Sophie's-mom, these are European Starling's. Here is what allaboutbirds has to say, "All the European Starlings in North America descended from 100 birds set loose in New York's Central Park in the early 1890s. The birds were intentionally released by a group who wanted America to have all the birds that Shakespeare ever mentioned. It took several tries, but eventually the population took off. Today, more than 200 million European Starlings range from Alaska to Mexico, and many people consider them pests."

I think they are very beautiful birds, but my neighbors would kill me if I tried to attract them. I love watching them flock in the fall.

Yeah they can be overwhelming at the feeders but they do photograph well. And you have done just that.

thanks for the comments everyone, I enjoyed posting this thread and enjoyed the interest it generated.

Starling flocks are known also for their synchronized flight patterns. Really enjoyable and amazing to watch those flights.

Nice shots!
I checked the internet today about starlings ,because I have a large flock visiting my backyard feeders with this cold weather; after reading in Wikipedia description about the diseases and parasites are hosting I'm kind of worried;

"Common Starlings are hosts to a wide range of parasites. A survey of three hundred Common Starlings from six US states found that all had at least one type of parasite; 99% had external fleas, mites or ticks, and 95% carried internal parasites, mostly various types of worm. Blood-sucking species leave their host when it dies, but other external parasites stay on the corpse. A bird with a deformed bill was heavily infested with Mallophaga lice, presumably due to its inability to remove vermin.[61]"

"107] Their droppings can contain the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, the cause of histoplasmosis in humans. At roosting sites this fungus can thrive in accumulated droppings.[14] There are a number of other infectious diseases that can potentially be transmitted by Common Starlings to humans,"

"Agricultural damage In the US is estimated as costing about US$800 million annually."
... more here;
http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Common_Starling

Pretty birds... Just wish they stayed in Europe where they belong.