Need some help from the DG bird experts. ^_^
I was watching some Scissor-tailed Flycatchers out at Galveston State Park a few days ago. They would fly up into the sky, twist and turn and catch a bug and then fly back to a perch to dine. Fun to watch.
This bird was perched on a small stick and just kept fluttering his wings while holding tightly to the perch. He never took off, just revved his engine in preparation for takeoff.
What is he doing?
These images are cropped quite a bit.
Another shot
One more
It's a trait of flycatchers to return over and over to the same perch. A good thing for photographers. The perch looks precarious, maybe he is just maintaining his balance. Beautiful capture.
Thank you for the kind words and the idea of maintaining balance. I can see where that is quite possible. Originally I thought maybe it was a youngster just practicing flapping his wings, but the colorings look like an adult, so that theory was dashed.
I have a cockatiel and if I don't let her out daily for a flight around the house, she will fly in place for exercise. Really makes a mess when she does, blows birdseed hulls all over the floor.
Oh my! That would be a sight to see. ^_^ I've never seen a cockatiel in person, but from photos, they don't look like small birds.
I'd agree, just keeping balance.
Resin
Thanks Resin.
cropped or not, they're beautiful shots!
Thank you threegardeners. I appreciate the kind words. They are such pretty birds and move so gracefully. I spent quite some time watching them so had a few good opportunities to get some photos.
That is the state bird of Oklahoma we have great numbers in early fall as they are getting ready to depart most years they congregate near our house and here I am just guessing then when the numbers get to some unknown point they leave and it is just like overnight ..One day they will be here and then the next time I see them is in the spring and they do not return all at once like they leave ..I love the crazy things and those were outstanding shots that you got....
Thanks Grits. I was in Oklahoma earlier this week and saw a few of them.
All of the ones here left about 2 weeks back I sometimes visit my Sis down in Conroe during the winter and it is amazing to me to see a lot of them around parking lots foraging on who knows what ..Here they seem to like to nest in taller trees which is not good during the spring because of strong storms that destroys the nest...
Beautiful photos ... here in the FL panhandle we see them with fall migration --- had seen in TX -- but took 6yrs here to finally see one in FL --- gorgeous birds ... thanks for sharing :)
Thanks ladyhawk.
