Friday, September 5, 2014

White Storks in Poland

Linking to Skywatch Friday


1. I never knew that white storks raise their chicks in Poland during spring and summer and then fly to Africa for the winter but avoid flying over the Mediterranean to get there. They eat mice, vermin, and insects from the farm fields so Poland actually makes wire nests above the utility poles for storks to build their nests. They also eat frogs and fish from shallow water. The female has a clutch of four eggs and both parents take turns incubating the eggs which hatch in about 33 days. 
 2. This road and barn is at Krasnoborki, a village just west of Krasnybor, Poland. It was a perfect day for picture taking. My Staranowicz family came from this tiny village. If you look closely, you can see a small white family shrine in front of the barn with a cross.
 3. If you read my previous blog, this photo shows the inside of the Church at Krasnybor. I think that the chandelier, which has been modernized with lights, are Elk antlers. I had very few ancestors who lived in Krasnybor but they came from all the surrounding villages to be married here (Sztabin, Janowek, Cisow, Kunicha, Jaminy, Ewy, Jaziewo, and Kopiec).


 4. I was surprised at how small the chapel was; these were two seater benches on the side. Just to think that my ancestors were baptized, married and probably had their funerals in this very church going back to the early 1700s. I can just picture buggies and wagons full of people on their way to the wedding being held at Krasnybor.


 5. Each tiny village that we came to had a sign with the village name and as we left the village, sometimes only a block or two, another sign appeared with a diagonal line crossed through the village name telling us we had left that village.
This was the sunset on the lake in Augustow, Poland where I stayed during my visit to northeast Poland. 



I just had to take a photo of this picturesque home that we passed by on our way west back to Sztabin on that sunny day.

23 comments:

Marleen said...

These are such beautiful photo's, you made an impressive trip! I didn't know that about the storks either. Nice to learn that :)

Ginny Hartzler said...

The church is so grand, and yet the tiny pews. Maybe they only have a small membership. Do you know how many people live in the area? How special that you now have these pictures, both inside and out. They are wonderful family and ancestral memories. The last home looks like something out of a story book. Especially under the windows. The storks are wonderful!!! This nest looks so unstable. I have heard that they nest on rooftops and their nests are a hundred pounds.

Tanya Breese said...

oh wow, what a wonderful trip! i think i've told you before how much i love genealogy and i'm a bit envious of your trip to your ancestor's land! how awesome! we went to pittsburgh a couple of years ago where my great grandparents lived after coming here from russia. i saw the house they lived in and raised their family and saw the cemetery they are buried in...so neat! thank you so much for linking with willy nilly and have a great weekend!

Tanya Breese said...

oh wow, what a wonderful trip! i think i've told you before how much i love genealogy and i'm a bit envious of your trip to your ancestor's land! how awesome! we went to pittsburgh a couple of years ago where my great grandparents lived after coming here from russia. i saw the house they lived in and raised their family and saw the cemetery they are buried in...so neat! thank you so much for linking with willy nilly and have a great weekend!

Kristin_Texas said...

That stork nest is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. I have never in my life seen a nest in such a weird place.
That is just unreal! I'm so glad you shared that pic.

And I see you're into genealogy. My mother is, too. She is obsessed, and very good, with it. It brings her a lot of joy.

Ida said...

What a thrill that trip must have been for you. You saw so many interesting things. How cool that they put up wire nest for the Storks. Great old barns and so meaningful for you since you had family from that area. Again the churches are amazing but I think it would be distracting to worship in one due to all the different things to look at.
Loved that house, it was unique and charming.

Anonymous said...

What grand photos from your trip. The church and its history are amazing. My Polish blog friend, Gosia, has shared with me about the storks there. That last photo is stunning.

Anonymous said...

here is the link to Gosia's blog:

http://gosiablogs.blogspot.com/2014/09/poland-is-beautiful_5.html

GreenComotion said...

Ruth,
All photos are very nice.
I didn't know that large birds could nest on an electric pole. Wow!

Peace :)

Rose said...

I have really enjoyed this post...loved that house. It is so different.

Priyashi said...

WOW ! these are beautiful captures...enjoyed it

Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla said...

Pretty pictures of Poland. The storks nest is huge! I wonder why they don't fly over the Mediterranean. The antler chandelier is beautiful!

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Thanks for the tour and the pretty sunset shot!

Tom said...

Great collection of interesting shots. Tom The Backroads Traveller

orvokki said...

I have seen also in Poland stork nest. A long time ago. The first photo is super.
I think it's nice to think that you go through your history.
The church is very beautiful, but very small. I have not seen before about the narrow benches.
Have a happy Saturday.

Gosia said...

Beautiful post and I hope so I would like to follow your blog.My grandparents were American born. It is amazing to read about own country from different point of view. I like family history, too. Hugs from sunny Bytom- 70 km from Cracow,.

A Colorful World said...

That brick house is so gorgeous! I love it's architecture. LOVE the chapel too! beautiful! And I appreciate the info on the storks...so interesting. Great photo of them in their nest. Congrats on finding your grandfather. It's so hard when they throw you a curve like that!

Anonymous said...

What fabulous shots!

Gosia said...

Lovely villages worth visiting.

Roan said...

Interesting info about the storks. I wonder why they avoid the Mediterranean. Love the barn and the house!

EG CameraGirl said...

I would love to see the storks! Fun photo! And I very much like the architecture there.

Shirley said...

I didn't know storks wintered in Africa and raised their chicks up north during spring and summer either! '

Lately I have become rather enamoured with old dilapidated barns. They are the perfect subjects for photography and sketching!

I enjoyed this post immensely!

maryaustria said...

Great series of photos! Really a collection of wonderful captures!

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