Thursday 17 September 2009

The Birds!

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and Izzy 'N Emmy


All photos are copyright of Maggie May

Wherever I seem to go there is a beady eye staring at me. In fact we are never very far away from seagulls or pigeons where I live.
I went for a day trip by the sea not long ago and a woman I got talking to on the way home, told me that she had had to go and buy a new top because a seagull had pooped all over the one she had on, as she said it was impossible to clean herself up with tissues or wet wipes.
I have often been pooped on by these birds and felt this splat of warm nastiness on the top of my head. Now that IS a horrible experience.

Once when visiting St Ives in Cornwall....... a beautiful seaside town, Harry had a seagull poop down his glasses and it was like thick mud that couldn't be wiped off properly. He ended up going to the gents and the assistant made him pay to go in. "I only want to wash off this mess from my glasses," He complained.
She had no sympathy whatsoever and insisted that he payed his money even though he didn't want to use the toilet. He was quite peeved about that.
While we were on that same visit, we saw seagulls snatching ice creams from children and terrorising them. Aggression in seagulls is not uncommon.


Pigeons are often fed and this encourages them to flock into the cities. So it's no wonder that they are everywhere because we humans throw down so much food.
Isn't it strange that it is completely frowned on to feed the common variety of feral pigeons but quite acceptable to feed the wood pigeons that frequent our gardens? They seem so much more respectable somehow.

Some people are really afraid of fluttering birds and will go right out of their way to avoid them. I know someone who is absolutely phobic about birds of any kind and she avoids them at all costs because to walk through a group of pigeons would cause her absolute panic. She is a very brave lady in every other respect though.

The pigeon in the picture below, even made a plant pot into a nest and the owners were using the pot as a window box. Cheeky thing staring into the front room, like that!







Photostory Friday is hosted by Cecily. Do look her up to see some really good photos and stories.

29 comments:

Wayne said...

Ahh pegions I lie in a city where you cant go 2 seconds without seeing one of those things. Great photo friday

Brian Miller said...

i think i would definitely be wearing a hat...funny the one peaking in the window...hmmm...wonder what he is looking at?

Robyn said...

It would be the geese here. I like the pecking in the window shot.

latree said...

aren't they cool?

hey. what's the different between pigeon and dove?

SandyCarlson said...

They sure do show up, those guys--don't they? Wonderful images. I have grown to love pigeons. I think of them as working class doves.

Raise Them Up said...

I'm not a big fan of sharing space with pigeons, sea gulls or geese. Dirty birds, all. But fun to watch, none the less.

Fun post!

Emily said...

I'm not particularly a bird fan but my husband used to have a conure (small parrot) which was really pretty.

Anonymous said...

I dislik them myself. I recall eating a slice of pizza on the ebach and they nabbed it.

The one looking in the window was really funny! Probably wondering what's for dinner?

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I have not been pooped on by a bird, yet. Now that I said that I will probably get mine.

Suburbia said...

It's supposed to be lucky isn't it, but I'm not sure who for!!!

A seagull stole SS's fish and chips once at the sea front in Dartmouth!

Love the pigeon looking in the window.

Rose said...

I was jsut thinking about The Birds this morning as some crows were "yelling" outside my window. I live by the sea, we're surrounded by crows, seagulls, pigeons AND mean-spirited cranes!

That pigeon is probably wondering how he can open the window...

Jinksy said...

I remember a time in Cornwall, when my cousin an I sat in her car eating seaside fish and chips, while a seagull danced over the bonnet, pecking viciously at the windscreen - shades of Hitchcock's 'The Birds'!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

We don't get many seagulls where I live but we have a plethora of pigeons.
I am always wary of the seagulls though heard too many stories!

Jinksy said...

I've just noticed you found my poor son's mobile+loo story laughable! You must have as quirky a sense of humour as my family!

Anonymous said...

Oh my daughter was just in heaven. She, for some reason, thinks pigeons are WONDERFUL and frequently tells me they're her favorite bird. LOL "MOMMY! LOOK! It's my fav'rite bird!!!"

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

Oh my goodness! That one in the window is hilarious! You are right...quite cheeky of him/her.

Our problem around here is squirrels.

If people feed animals they are going to expect to be fed. It's that way with a pet or with them in the wild.

Akelamalu said...

My granny used to call pigeons and seagulls Shy Talks!

Irene said...

Wood doves are lovely birds and I can't help but like them, while I have no sympathy for the common pigean, even though I've never been pooped on. They are the rats of the sky and ruin many pretty buildings and statues. It should be outlawed to feed them. I like the bird in the window box. Clever little thing.

Eddie Bluelights said...

Hi Maggie
Thought I'd made a comment the other day but it must have gone into a parallel universe.
Great shots Maggie but isn't the last one a wood pigeon?

San said...

A pigeon pooped on my head in New York once. YUK.

That men's room attendant was heartless. The nerve!

scrappysue said...

shall we start calling you the bird lady????? :)

Hilary said...

City seagulls are crazy-aggressive. They need to learn to scout and fish for food like their shore kin. I blame all the McDonalds parking lots of the world. ;)

kayerj said...

city birds can be a little pesky, but you got some nice shots. If you want to wander down my road I’m home.

Shellie said...

Birds can be so interesting. Once I saw some seagulls having a meeting, I swear it was a meeting. So funny. Love that last shot a lot!

Rose said...

I don't know much about birds, so I'm not sure why pigeons flock to the cities, where they certainly can be a problem. Here in rural areas, starlings are the nasty birds that everyone wants to get rid of. Another commenter mentioned geese...many of the new subdivisions around here have built small ponds and stocked them with geese. Everyone thinks they're cute, until they start doing their business all over their lawns:)

Jeni said...

Definitely have to agree on the nastiness of being hit by a bit of a bomb from a bird! Makes one wonder why the heck that attendant insisted on making your husband pay when all he wanted was to clear off his glasses? Actually, makes one wonder about bathrooms one has to pay to use in the first place too though. That, to me, is cruel and unusual punishment!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Your post just makes me smile!!! Birds...love 'em and hate 'em...they are so pretty...but as you say, so cheeky! These are fabulous photos...you have a keen eye and much patience to be able to catch these flighty creatures on camera!!! Bravo!! ~Janine XO

Casey's trio said...

I don't mind birds but then agian, I've never been splahed with poop by a seagull. My opinion could change if that happened :)

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

We have been away a lot lately and the sheer size of the seagulls astounded me. Yes they are quite bullish but unless you take a shotgun with you, what can you do?!

Bird poop, uuurrrgghh!