Lot's of B'sIF
Aug 2, 2018 21:22:15 #
Washington State, Big Beef Creek. What do you think? Yes or No? It really needs to be seen in Download...or not at all. And really needs to be seen full screen. Give it to me, I have thick skin.
Aug 2, 2018 23:09:25 #
Aug 2, 2018 23:49:07 #
Aug 3, 2018 06:45:14 #
Aug 3, 2018 08:22:14 #
Aug 3, 2018 08:34:57 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
Interesting. And I couldn't find a single one going in the 'wrong' direction.
Aug 3, 2018 09:09:58 #
I think I don't want to be on the ground under them as they pass. Might need more than a hat.
Aug 3, 2018 12:32:26 #
Aug 3, 2018 12:37:50 #
Aug 3, 2018 12:42:39 #
Thanks everyone for the kind comments. I like the change in contrast between the black background on the top and the almost white background on the bottom and what it does to the appearance of the birds in front. I appreciate the objective viewpoints.
Aug 3, 2018 13:15:09 #
This is a common behavior of these small sandpiper-like species. They hang around in large flocks and when they take off, the entire group flies in a synchronized group. One or more birds at the "front" of the group will suddenly change directions and the entire flock follows the leader(s). This photo is a very good image of the group behavior, but when seen live, the sudden changes in direction create a fascinating view as the light angles change suddenly. The whole group goes light, then dark, then nearly disappears before going light or dark as it changes directions again. Then they'll settle on the mud or sand and forage. I believe the flight behavior is a defensive mechanism, making it hard for a predator to focus on a single individual. Just let a harrier fly by and they scramble into the air. If I ever get a video of this behavior, I'll try to post it. Thanks for sharing Retired CPO. I've tried to get stills of the behavior but never been satisfied with the images. Keep shooting and sharing.
Aug 3, 2018 13:25:25 #
Thanks very much, jak. Yeah, I've been watching and taking photo's of shore bird flocks in flight for a long time. Very few of the photo's have been worth keeping, let alone showing to other people.
Aug 3, 2018 14:22:17 #
DougS
Loc: Central Arkansas
This type of flight is called murmuration. Fascinating to say the least.
Aug 3, 2018 14:34:16 #
DougS wrote:
This type of flight is called murmuration. Fascinating to say the least.
Thanks, Doug.
Aug 3, 2018 17:24:28 #
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