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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Camera Critters. . .life on the street

5click to enlarge photos for a better view6
While we were visiting in the Minnesota north woods last weekend we were parked in downtown Ely in front of a diner called Verdin's, home of skrŭmp'shəs caramel rolls and friendly people. After stuffing ourselves we tossed around a bit of the snow we had the night before and said goodbye to another anniversary trip. I couldn't help noting the disparity between our sated appetite and zooming cholesterol when I saw these pigeons huddled outside an old building.

I know that a lot of people hate pigeons calling them rats with wings, etc. As for me and my tendency to overthink, they remind me of feathered street people who get along the best they can. In the city these birds are harmless, amiable, and loyal to their flock. Besides who could actually hate a creature that coos? I've seen in my commute in Chicago some partially blind or walking on stumps instead of feet. Survivors for sure.

I offer these photos and my humble opinions as part of Misty Dawn's wonderful Meme, Camera Critters. Visit her here to see all manner of beautiful creatures.

10 comments:

Michele said...

I don't mind pigeons at all. We have just a few of them here, not a lot.... These are great photos. I'm amazed how they can be perched on those tiny ledges like that and not slip off! Apparently here in the mountains, they are fitted with snowshoes! =D
~Michele~

DeniseinVA said...

Great photos, they are indeed survivors. I have nothing against them, they have their place in the world just like anything else. I suppose it's like the Canada Geese, another favorite of mine, if there are many of them they can be considered a bit of a pest with the packages they leave behind, particularly on statues it seems;)

Thanks for stopping by. Your words ring true.

Marianne said...

I also rather like pigeons, of course I don't have hundreds living on my house....
My dear da sent off for 'tumblers' when my kids were young just so they could help raise them and watch them flying and tumbling in the sky.

Jane Hards Photography said...

I'm with you, they are survivors. You do see some sad sights but they plough on. I don't begrudge the humble pigeon at all.

i beati said...

Quite a congreagation.. Wjhat is that flocking called??There is a special name Cannot raecall.??

Sujata said...

Very interesting post!

Lilli & Nevada said...

I love pigeons but they do tend to make messes all over the place. nice photos

LoieJ said...

I'll have to look for that pigeon house next time I'm in Ely. When I think of Ely, I think of cold feet. We often do our Christmas shopping there and, boy, those old buildings have cold floors. Now I'll also think of cold pigeon feet. Ha ha.

Labyrinth's Muse said...

Wonderful photos! I love the architecture of the buildings. (gosh I hope I spelled that right!)


Thanks for sharing!

Jeannelle said...

Hey, I don't mind the pigeons photos, either. We have a resident flock which flies between our silos and our neighbor's. Pigeons are part of farm life. Neat old brickwork in your photos, too.

I was in Ely many years ago with my parents. Was Verdin's there over 30 years ago, because the name sounds familiar. We stayed at a resort near there called Deertrail Lodge.....fished Farm Lake and portaged to the Kawishiwi River (I think that was the name.)