The other day, I happened to be in one of the main squares of Petach- Tikva city ( The "founders square"). I was totally stunned by the sight of about a hundred dark pigeons flocked there. It looked rather ominous.
Usually, pigeons are attracted by food, but no food here as there's a big white sign (see in the picture below) that forbids feeding them. Perhaps, it's the place itself that attracts them and, for some reason, makes them feel safe and comfortable.
They were gathered especially around a small stucture with a dome. I wished to approach the stucture, but was afraid of their reaction - mass flying over my head. It was midday; I saw no people or kids close to their area.
Anyway, I've noticed some lovely art on the fence surrounding the square : statues of a musical band members. Nice, enjoyable view for the pigeons too:)
statues of a music band
Dearest Duta,
ReplyDeleteWishing you and yours a Happy Hanukkah!
Hugs,
Mariette
DeleteThank you, Mariette. Hannukah starts this evening with the lighting of the first candle in the Menora, and lasts a whole week until 15 of December.
🕎✡️
DeleteThanks, Mariette.
Delete💞
DeleteThank you, Mariette
DeleteI have encountered lots of pigeons on my daily walk, but usually just 30, 40....statues of a music band look really nice.
ReplyDeleteIt's an usual sight, but they're moving looking for food, and chirping. Here, in the square, they were sitting silently and just watching (passersby, surrounding area).
DeleteHappy Hanukkah! The pigeons usually show up in the downtown area of the city near here. We do have tiny black birds that flock to trees in the fall and winter, but not all the time. It always feels like a warning of some kind. There are the finches begging for food at the fast food places. Recently, we had a nest of robins in the tree next to the front door. Those parents would dive at us as we were trying to come into the house.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder if the birds are stressed from all the hectic things going on around them. Just as we are.
Thanks Ellie. Hannukah "the festival of lights" is a happy holiday.
DeleteI also feel that birds are sometimes a warning of some kind.
Anyway, we see pigeons and other birds in our yards ,on roofs, on our walks etc.. The sight on the square was rather a strange one, and drew my attention.
T
Happy Hannuka. We are also forbidden to feed the birds in public places but our discards attract them anyway. I wonder if your silent, waiting pigeons fortell a change in the weather.
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen there any discards either. As for foretelling, I wish I knew.
DeleteI've got several such beliefs: a red sky foretells war, restless birds foretell an earthquake, but nothing solid.
Pigeons were a big part of my growing up in New York City. I haven't seen such a big group in a long time. I understand that some consider pigeons to be a sign of good fortune or peace. One can only hope - I wish you a Happy Hanukkah.
ReplyDeleteMany signs are attributed to birds in general and pigeons in particular, but no known serious evidence about that.
DeleteThat was quite a sight.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it sure was. You have to see it to believe it.
DeleteDuta, pigeons are very sociable, looking for high places to get away from predators and look for mates. There they communicate with each other to share information about where food is.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. They are friendly to humans, looking for food and mates, keeping away from harming factors. I like pigeons and often feed them.
DeleteHappy Hanukkah! It's a lovely observation about life and light. Funny about the pigeons, and if you figure out how such a big flock appeared, let us know.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Boud. I'll sure try to find out more about pigeons and their habits. The sight in the square made me curious.
DeleteMaybe someone dropped seeds there. Maybe there were insects.
ReplyDeleteLife is never boring with birds around.
ReplyDeleteHappy Hanukkah!
How very true! And since you've mentioned Hannukah, lights are never a boring matter either.
DeleteVery interesting that were so many of the pigeons gathered in one place without there being food present. Thank you, Duta, for sharing with us about them. I also enjoyed seeing the statues of the music band.
ReplyDeleteWe think we know a lot about them, including their damage to power lines, yet they do surprise us as in this case.
DeleteThe music band statues do delight the viewers.
I hope and pray that your Hannukah is especially blessed this year, Duta. May God's light shine in Israel!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Martha for your Hannuka blessing. 'Light' and 'Shine' are the very key words of this holiday.
DeleteThey are everywhere -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteCorrect. We see them everywhere, we feed them where and when possible. They are friendly to humans, and don't harm them.
DeleteI find that rather interesting as well and will look it up.
ReplyDeleteI looked around trying to find some local, living in the neighborhood, who could perhaps enlighten me on the matter, but the place was practically deserted.
DeleteOMG. I don't know what I'll do if I see a hundred dark pigeons too.
ReplyDeleteScary sight, indeed. I was afraid they'll start flying 'en masse' because of my presence there, but I was not too close to them, so they didn't feel threatened.
DeleteI've never seen that many pigeons gathered in one spot just seagulls when they are unloading a ship with their fish catch.
ReplyDeleteI suppose it could happen on a spot with discarded food, known to many pigeons in the surrounding areas as a place which provides food.
DeleteThe photographs are interesting, in special the first one.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I wish I could take sharper photos, but yes, they are rather interesting.
DeleteWe have pigeons in a larger town North of us and they congregate in masses everywhere it seems. They just move from location to location. Janice
ReplyDelete'congregate in masses' - good description!
DeleteMaybe they are congregating for companionship because cold weather is ahead - do they huddle for warmth/body heat perhaps.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right, Betty. It's not only food they're looking for but also warmth.
DeleteWe have a lot of pigeons here too. We're not supposed to feed them but I put bread out for all the birds all the time.
ReplyDeleteWhere there's a sign prohibiting feeding, I'll obey. In all the other cases, if I happen to have some food I'll throw it their way.
DeleteHopefully the pigeons not only signify peace, but will bring peace.
ReplyDeleteMy various feathered visitors are outside at present letting me know of their presence. :)
Take care, DUTA...have a good week.
Amen to That!
DeleteHave a good week too, Lee!
I enjoy bird watching but not en masse. I hope you are enjoying Hanukkah.
ReplyDeleteHannukah lights and donuts are highly enjoyable.:)
DeleteI love the art and those pigeons are impressive. I might have hesitated, just as you did! I send many wishes for a happy and especially safe Hanukkah and celebrate with the lights. And thank you for all your visits and lovely comments on my blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanie for your Hannukah wishes, and for everything.
DeleteThe figures of the players on the fence are charming! It's not easy art, as there's movement and holding of musical instruments involved.
I'll sure do, Sandra. So far, reading gave me no clue. Hopefully, I'll meet someone who knows something about this kind of behavior.
ReplyDeleteBom dia de terça-feira, com muita paz e saúde com muita paz e saúde minha querida amiga Duda. Paz para Israel sempre.
ReplyDeleteThanks Luiz. Your wishes are much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteGoodness! That certainly looks a lot of pigeons.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the statues of the music band.
Happy Hanukkah.
All the best Jan
The figures of the musical band are lovely works of art!
DeletePigeons are fascinating birds. Enjoy the study!
ReplyDeleteThey are. I do like them, and whenever possible feed them. I hope to learn more about them. Thanks Marie.
Delete