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.

30 comments:

Nori Katayama said...

I love these shots very much, G!

Julie said...

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However, nowadays they are very scare in the city area and have been replaced by common minors and ibis.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.

tapirgal said...

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!!!

Unknown said...

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

Lowell said...

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!

Wolynski said...

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.

brattcat said...

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

PJ said...

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.

roentare said...

so cute and compact looking in deed!

James said...

What a shame I hope the made it okay.

stromsjo said...

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

joo said...

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

Tinsie said...

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

Kate said...

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!!

Cezar and Léia said...

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

B SQUARED said...

It must be windy everywhere now.

Hilda said...

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.

Tash said...

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.

Halcyon said...

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

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

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

VP said...

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!

VP said...

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

amatamari© said...

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

Ellie said...

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

cieldequimper said...

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

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

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

Andreea said...

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.

Kaori said...

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

Unknown said...

Lovely sparrows!

Copenhagen said...

The birds must liked you ;)