Thursday, March 26, 2009

Close To A Robin

Robin On A BranchToday I've decided to talk about something other than geese. It seems if I follow an animal around too much, it gets angry. I'd rather avoid another war, so I think I'll just switch to something else. Besides, geese aren't the only birds around here right now.

This time I decided to go to a completely different place to do my hike. This place is usually quieter than the others. There aren't many people or animals here. Both will come when it gets warmer. There were birds there though.

There is one particular section of this place where birds like to gather. The trees there must have some attraction to them for some reason. There is either good food there, or that's where they like to nest. Or maybe it could be both.

Robin On A BranchAs I got close to this place, I was keeping a careful eye out for whatever birds I could see. There were birds flying around everywhere here. I thought it should be easy to get a halfway decent photo of a bird here. I didn't know that I would get any this good though.

As I got close, I saw one bird that wanted to fly away from me, but there was something on a tree near me that it wanted. It would fly away and then fly right back. It repeated this several times, until it settled on a branch about halfway between it's two destinations.

I made sure I moved in slowly so I had a chance to get a better shot. I actually got within ten feet of the bird. As I looked at it more, I saw that the bird was a robin. I have other pictures of robins, but I was never this close. I think these are my best shots so far.

Robin On A BranchThis bird was really determined to wait it out until I left. I was able to walk halfway around the tree to get some pictures from a better angle, and it didn't try to fly away. It must have felt reasonably secure where it was.

There were a few small branches between us. I wouldn't have been able to reach the bird if I tried. It obviously understood that. It was watching me the whole time, even though it's back was turned mostly towards me.

This was one of the most amazing experiences I've had so far. To get so close to a robin was a wonderful feeling. This was a rare thing that happened to me. In the end, I got all the photos I wanted, and then I moved on so the robin could get back to the branch it wanted to go.


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12 comments:

  1. If the pictures are re-sequenced in the order of #2, #1 and #3, then I see the robin got to know you, turned its neck and stared at you.

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  2. Cute little guy! I can almost hear him. I love seeing them here...it means spring isn't far behind.

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  3. Wow, that was close. Your stalking skills are becoming more like a cat than a rat! Nice pix.

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  4. I wonder what it was stalking? a nest site perhaps?

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  5. Rainfield - It was keeping one eye pointed at me the whole time. I hoped it would turn toward me all the way, but it wanted to be ready to fly away.
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    The Retired One - I've seen robins all winter, but there are so many more now. So you are right, it's a huge signal of the coming spring.
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    Sharkbytes - I hope that's true, and it's not just a case of recent good luck. The forest has been alive with thousands of birds lately.
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    DNLee - I was wondering the same thing. I wish I could have stood far enough away to find out, but there were too many corners on that section of trail.

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  6. Oh my goodness, what wonderful photos and how lucky you are. Robins to me me spring. Mountain Man says he saw a robin yesterday but I haven't seen it yet.
    Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos.

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  7. That's a beautiful robbin. Gosh, he looks so squeezable. :-)

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  8. Mountain Woman - The robins have been here all winter long, but now there are so many that it has been easy to get photos of them.
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    Ron - I didn't get a chance to try, because he stayed just far enough away from me. :)

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  9. wow, congratulations. indeed, that is so close and the pictures so vivid. he looks so adorable. spring is really now there in your place, yehey.

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  10. Betchai - The birds think spring is here, and I'm beginning to believe them. These robins seem a little friendlier than some other birds.

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  11. This might be a really stupid question, but how does a rat hold a camera. It's got to be one of the new micro's right?

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  12. Julia - That's an easy one! I'm just a really big rat. If you don't believe me, take a look at tomorrow's post. ;)

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