I’ve been going through my archives over the past couple of days trying to find the right photos to donate to my friend’s Adoption Awareness Art Show, and in the interim of all this, it’s reminding me of photos I’ve never shared on this blog before. The pigeon above possibly died falling out the sky and then was flattened, perfectly in a way, by an unsuspecting car that was pulling out of my old job’s parking lot. Sad, but completely picturesque.

And for those like me who are enamored by birds, but don’t know what the hell they are, give the WhatBird site a try – It will blow your mind!

There’s a rooster somewhere in my neighborhood. It just caws and warbles from someplace unknown. It’s not even strictly in the morning, but in the afternoon. It’s such a strange bird. It’s not the one pictured above, but that’s what I think of when I look at it.

Hundreds and hundreds of birds are beginning their migration South for the Winter. I’ve spotted gigantic flocks almost everyday for the past several weeks. Strange that many are to be found on the power lines right in front of my house. How can I resist? About two hundred birds gather during the late morning hours, just chillin’ by the waterside (temperature moderation?). Approaching too close is not recommended due to the sporadic and consistent expelling of bodily waste. Plop … plop … … … plop.

Onomatopoeia is fun, but seriously, ew.

Last Summer I went on my first whale watch near Massachusetts Bay. We did very well that even the announcer was verbally ecstatic every time a blowhole would pop out or bird ball would form. The gulls that are swarming the humpbacks were practicing the daily routine of eating all the excess plankton that hangs around on their body, in their mouth and wherever they can find some. Pretty amazingly gross, but healthy!

I remember I had a funny, gut feeling that day. I was willing the whales to me! I know it sounds cheesy, but I heard that good sitings are hard to come by. Well, lo and behold, not only did it work, but those massive, graceful, blubbery bastards came as close as 10-feet to the ship. It may have been more wise to be frightened by this, but why bother with such cowardice.

The final count was approximately 35 sitings – 15-20 humpbacks, 5-7 finbacks and a few minkes. Some of them had pretty goofy names like ‘Slash’ because the fin exhibited signs of running into a propeller or two (probably a whale watch so that’s ironically depressing).

Click on an image to enlarge.

Please cast your vote for this entry in the Photoblog Awards for Photo of the Year!