This is my contribution to the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Chaos.
I had a couple of ideas for the challenge before thinking of some of the large flocks of birds I have photographed.
Gulls, mostly Black-headed Gulls, in seemingly random flight over Hurleston Reservoir near Nantwich in southern Cheshire. In this case I suspect that one of the local Peregrine Falcons has spooked them into flight as there’shardly two birds flying in the same direction.
Snow Geese on autumn migration take off from a section of the Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area in Saskatchewan. I was watching the birds from an observation tower when something, possibly a Coyote on the lake shore, spooked them into flight.
Gulls, mostly Black-headed Gulls, on the move at Hurleston Reservoir near Nantwich in southern Cheshire. In this case something has spooked some of the birds on one side of the roost and they’re flying to the other side.
Lines of Snow Geese flying to roost at sunset in the autumn. These birds are over Middle Quill Lake, Saskatchewan.
22 replies on “Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Chaos”
These are so wonderful, David – I almost feel like flying with them! Just the sound of all those wings – it would have been great to hear them – even if I almost can from your images. Love everything about this.
Thanks Ann-Christine. The Snow Geese lift of was the most memorable for the noise. It’s strange how some noises bring back memories.
It is. Like some songs and music from when I was young – they start movies in my head.
I find a lot of old T.V. theme tunes trigger memories. Sometimes it’s the absence of sound. When I lived in Saskatchewan, Canada I would be in some remote locations in the winter when there wasn’t another human being for miles. Then the only sounds was the occasional creak or groan from the ice and the occasional whirring of wings as Snow Buntings flew past me to roost at sunset.
You describe a time that must have been wonderful!
Chaos indeed!
Sometimes you have to wonder how they aren’t all colliding in mid air.
Indeed! They are super spatially-aware….
A lot more so than some car drivers who only need to pay attention to two axis.
True!
Wowwww. Beautiful beautiful, and very impressive.
Thanks John. The Snow Geese lift of is one of those events that sticks in the mind with the sight and sound.
Wonderfully chaotic they are 🙂
Thank you. I thought they were chaotic enough for the challenge.
Fabulous chaotic images. I love seeing huge flocks of birds like this. A shame our Starlings seem to have moved away now otherwise I might have tried to get an image of them in murmaration.
Thank you. I was thinking of a Starling murmaration and a flock of Oystercatchers moving ahead of the tide but both were in bad light so I ended up not using them.
Dannnng!!! These are amazing!
Thanks, glad you liked them.
Love these David. One day I really want to see a flock of snow geese. Bucket list
Thanks Tina. If I recall correctly there are different locations for Snow Geese on spring migration so that may give you other options.
Spectacular! W.O.W!!!
Thanks Amy.I thought it was chaotic while not being what people would expect.