Above: Purple Martins in flight
I stopped in to see the Purple Martins after a very early start to my day. If I were a Robin I might have got the first worm…
There is a lot of activity as they are busily collecting materials for their little nest-box homes. I spotted a pair of Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) attempting to build a nest in one of the boxes. It seemed that the Martins were discouraging their presence but those Starlings are tenacious.
Above: Moving in ~ A Starling in flight, gathering nesting materials
Each type of bird has its own wonderful shifting form when in movement. I don’t think I could ever tire of observing and trying to capture these various forms. Anyway, I like how these images look a bit like drawings and this process is giving me some ideas (and reference material) for an art project.
© Karen McRae, 2014
draw and shoot 
Karen, I have to stop and comment on how just incredible these compositions are. The counterpoint of how the birds are facing/interacting is just magnificent, particularly in Pieces 1 and 4. I have been watching all the birds here since Spring began, and I would die to see birds such as you’ve captured and shown to us here! These do look like drawings in its elegance – and the way you rendered those shadows on their wings – wow!! I can think of nothing else but uplifting flight! Thank you.
Thanks very much, Patricia! They are somewhat comfortable around humans so fortunately one can photograph them as they zip in and out of their nesting boxes. It was pretty early in the day when I made these images so the light was lovely.
Wonderful! Your bird photographs are so enjoyable, Karen.
Oh, I’m glad you think so, Mic. Thank you!
I want to be one of your birds.
Wouldn’t it be something to be able to fly like that!? Such grace.
Beautiful shots.
Thank you, Rabirius!
Very majestic.
Yes, they are majestic birds! Thank you.
I’d have to say that they strike me as ethereal, or coming from a dream-state, maybe…especially the third image….very nice, Karen.
I like your interpretation, Scott. They make me think of old illustrations somehow. Thank you.
Wonderful capture !
These images are really wonderful, Karen — so artistic and so graceful!
Stunning shots – a hugely difficult bird to photograph. Hats off to you :0)
Wonderful shots! So graceful birds!
Just wonderful.
Oh yes, the form as they glide, swerve and pick up speed-marvelous for sure. Love the graceful, dynamic images you’ve captured. Especially with the nesting material in their packed into beaks.
Oh, they do indeed look like paintings and I can’t wait for the new ideas! 🙂
Absolutely stunning shots and so atmospheric too.
Enjoy you style and the bussy birds.
Oh, how fun to be able to watch them in action! Thanks for sharing this with us! 🙂
Superb captures. There is flow, motion, beauty that you caught. And, the innate grace of the birds
The movement is so lovely – the last is my absolute favourite though, with the splashes of colour and the bird’s movement making the bird’s shape into an enigma.
Évidemment, cette série me touche beaucoup…très, très belle…merci…
Love these photos Karen 🙂
Up with the birds I almost never am… but these are delightful. Beautiful forms they create!
what a frenzied activitity!!!
The light shining through, or reflecting upon. those various body mechanisms is in itself a romantic landscape. How beautiful.
Beautiful pictures, Karen, especially the top one – an aerial ballet! And I didn’t know you have European Starlings over there – are they an introduced species? I love the starling shot with the nesting material – that inspires me to try something similar! Adrian
Thank you, Adrian. Yes, an aerial ballet for sure, they are amazing to watch.
As for starlings, yes, apparently they were introduced in North America in 1890 (by Shakespeare enthusists!) and they are now one of the most numerous songbirds on the continent. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/call-of-the-reviled/
Wonderful movement captured once again Karen. We have house martins visit us here every year from Africa. Watching them swoop for insects is fascinating to watch and their skills as fliers is always cause for admiration. They are such chatty, happy sounding birds too which always makes me smile. I wonder if your martins are the same.
There are times when one feels privileged to witness scenes like these. Such a feeling is conveyed in these images and the accompanying text.
Wonderful shots. It’s very easy to get lost watching birds – they’re so fundamentally alien. Fascinating. I’m really interested to know what your project is – will you be posting any pictures, Karen?
Wow! Beautiful! 🙂
No me canso nunca de disfrutar de este blog. Todo es fascinante, precioso.
Soft charcoal beauty..love the little curled in feet in the last bird!
Painterly, playful and cherubic, me thinks. Exquisitely shot too, Karen. They’re quite chubby birds as well which makes them all the cuter.
thankyou so much for sharing such beautiful images I am inspired to try to capture the birds in flight in my drawing and painting : )
Exquisite captures and asking for a drawn extension to beauty…
Wonderful studies of the flight of birds. The reduced and clear composition is really enjoyable!
I never tire of watching birds either Karen.. nor looking at your photos of them..
Wonderful set, Karen. You manage to capture motion and detail together. Fascinating.
Very beautiful Karen. You captured them beautifully. It’s so lovely to see their wings wide open. Wonderful photography 🙂
Wow…Flapping of wings looked just like musical notes. They gather and procreate one music.