Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Grounded

While taking the photos posted in “Rough Seas” and “Lisbon Express”, I was distracted by a small flock of birds grounded by the strong wind.They followed me scampering and hopping for short low flights around the benches of the Terrazza Mascagni, where they found some cover.While the stronger seagulls feasted on their food carried ashore by the waves, these small creatures looked quite worried and sad.

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30 comments:

  1. Nori KatayamaNovember 10, 2009 at 12:51 AM

    I love these shots very much, G!

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  2. JulieNovember 10, 2009 at 1:02 AM

    In Australia, we call these little scavengers Sparrows. When I was a child this sort of bird was everywhere. I think originally they were imported accidentallyy on ships.
    However, nowadays they are very scare in the city area and have been replaced by common minors and ibis. These little fellow are so much cuter. I love their colouring and there kamizaze flying style.

    Nice series of shots, VP.

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  3. tapirgalNovember 10, 2009 at 1:34 AM

    For a minute I thought I was on the wrong blog - a terrestrial one. These are nice pix. Who doesn't like a cute little bird? And the context is interesting. I hope the wind died down before the birds starved. I love the gray and brown composition. Nice!!!

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  4. AnonymousNovember 10, 2009 at 2:10 AM

    They may be more annoyed with the wind than worried. ;-)

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  5. LowellNovember 10, 2009 at 2:20 AM

    I've often wondered what birds do here in a hurricane or a tornado...these poor things need some help. I suppose you could have stood in such a way as to serve as a windbreaker. Of course, that might get tiring after a few hours...

    Actually, I think it would be for the birds!

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  6. WolynskiNovember 10, 2009 at 3:01 AM

    Aaah, so pretty. They're tiny little birds, nature made them that way, it's not for us to worry that they're sad - they have to fend for themselves just like the rest of us.

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  7. brattcatNovember 10, 2009 at 3:09 AM

    V.P., these are such sensitive studies. Thanks for posting them.

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  8. PJNovember 10, 2009 at 3:23 AM

    Small birds can become so overwhelmed by winds and waves, they must have been feeling quite thin to let you get close enough for the photos. I like this very much.

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  9. roentareNovember 10, 2009 at 3:48 AM

    so cute and compact looking in deed!

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  10. JamesNovember 10, 2009 at 5:40 AM

    What a shame I hope the made it okay.

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  11. stromsjoNovember 10, 2009 at 8:21 AM

    Probably just awaiting word on take-off from the control tower.

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  12. jooNovember 10, 2009 at 9:13 AM

    They are Sparrows, very clever ones. There are many of them here:)

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  13. TinsieNovember 10, 2009 at 1:47 PM

    Excellent photos! Either they stood very still or you have a good camera ;-)

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  14. KateNovember 10, 2009 at 2:32 PM

    Sad, perhaps, but these little birds are so adaptable; perhaps that's why they survive! The top photo is one with the look of patience!!

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  15. Cezar and LéiaNovember 10, 2009 at 2:48 PM

    He is so cute, I think he is posing for your camera! :)
    Léia

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  16. B SQUAREDNovember 10, 2009 at 2:57 PM

    It must be windy everywhere now.

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  17. HildaNovember 10, 2009 at 3:33 PM

    The poor things. I hope they made it through the storm safely. They look amazingly like the little brown birds that take shelter on our windows.

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  18. TashNovember 10, 2009 at 4:16 PM

    They are sweet. I'm sure they will be fine - tough little guys.
    A at Sudbury posted "It's not Livorno..." yesterday & so I did today.

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  19. HalcyonNovember 10, 2009 at 5:06 PM

    He may not be as flashy as a cardinal, but he's cute!! Hope he found something to munch on.

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  20. Three Rivers, MichiganNovember 10, 2009 at 5:15 PM

    Fluffed up and waiting out the wind, Passer domesticus is one of the world's great species success stories, along with people and Rattus rattus... :-)
    The first photo captures the colors and markings very well. The bottom photo shows a bird looking worried - or has she spotted a morsel of food?

    Three Rivers Daily Photo

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  21. VPNovember 10, 2009 at 5:25 PM

    My knowledge of birds is scarce, so maybe I personalized these sparrows (passeri in Italian) a bit too much.
    But they were following me, and I may look like many things, but not an overgrown sparrow!

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  22. VPNovember 10, 2009 at 5:30 PM

    @ tapirgal - Tomorrow I'll be back to water...
    @ Tash - Funny idea, thank you! Tomorrow I'll put a link to both posts.

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  23. amatamari©November 10, 2009 at 6:15 PM

    Oh, what a delicacy these sparrows!
    Wonderful shot, perfect!

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  24. EllieNovember 10, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    The first one is such a cute puff ball! Simple setting - rich in details! You really know what to do with a camera.

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  25. cieldequimperNovember 10, 2009 at 9:26 PM

    I'm sure they survived. I was surprised to hear that even sparrows are becoming rarer these days. These are so cute.

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  26. Mary Stebbins TaittNovember 10, 2009 at 10:34 PM

    Cute pictures! Hope they are airborne again! Nice close-ups!

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  27. AndreeaNovember 11, 2009 at 12:34 AM

    Bad bad wind, how can you ground such cute birds? But then I guess if it wasn't for the wind we would not have seen these lovely shots.

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  28. KaoriNovember 11, 2009 at 8:08 AM

    They look like they're clinging tight to the ground! Very cute though :)

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  29. UnknownNovember 11, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    Lovely sparrows!

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  30. CopenhagenNovember 13, 2009 at 3:06 PM

    The birds must liked you ;)

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