Sunday, December 20, 2009

I See A Robin!


When you look at this picture what do you see? The shadowy form of a bird? Obviously, that's what it is, but I see a little bit more. I see an American robin perched in that tree. That's not a remarkable bird to see here, but I was glad to be able to see it and know what it was.

I don't know when this happened but I have gained enough experience that I can identify one of these robins just by looking at its shape. All I saw in that tree was this shadowy shape, but the robin was clear in my mind. That thought was kind of a revelation for me. I really never thought I'd be able to do this.


Here is a little better look at this American robin. You can identify it by its rusty colored red breast, and that white ring around its eye on that black feathered head. You can't see it in these pictures, but the rest of the bird is mostly black, with a little white at the base of the underside of its tail feathers. I was able to write that description just from memory.

Identifying a robin may not seem remarkable to some of you, but think back when you didn't know this bird on sight. Or maybe another bird that you have recently learned to identify. I think I've been able to know when I see a robin for a long time now, but I guess I just took it for granted. I never thought about how much I've learned to be able to do that.

I think I'll have to remember that when I look at other animals. When did I learn to know that I was seeing a robin? Or another animal? When did you? Did you ever really think about how far you have come since you've been watching things of nature? I'm beginning to understand it a little bit.

(The poll results are still living in limbo while I sort out everything in my mind. They'll be coming, but I don't quite know when yet.)

20 comments:

  1. That's a nice looking Robin. Thanks to you Ratty. Now I can recognized one too.

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  2. I know the "obvious" ones, like Robins, Bluejays and Cardinals but after that I'm a little fuzzy on the details :o) I did come across a really neat bird called an American Warbler (did a pen an ink drawing from a photograph). They are about the size of a business card, which is what caught my attention initially. Birds are just TOO cool. I'm really enjoying all of your lovely photographs!

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  3. I'm with Jen I know the common ones but after that I have no clue. I still love to watch them though no matter what they are.

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  4. The Robin is one of the few birds that I know what it is. I do know a chickadee and a cardinal. Those are great pictures. Oh and the hummingbird is great too in the summer.

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  5. To hike in a jungle we always see birds, hear their chirping, get close to know something from them, (or get to know their secrets).

    The hiking is not complete if there are birds.

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  6. What a beautiful bird sitting there all proud. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite pics :)

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  7. It's great for us to see birds in the winter! I also can recognize robin, blue jay, and cardinal, beyond these birds, I'm a lost soul!

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  8. When we first moved here, I knew cardinals, blue jays, and chickadees by sight.

    Now I know those birds, along with flickers, tufted titmice, Carolina wrens, phoebes, and bluebirds.

    By their songs.

    I love my birds.

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  9. oh, I definitely am no good in identifying a robin or some other birds, I think what I can only identify right away are gulls, pelicans, egrets, graybes, cormorants and egrets.

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  10. There are certainly so many different types of birds, it is fun to learn about them! Lovely post. Happy Holidays!

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  11. A lovely robin, it's great that your robins stay for the winter but ours are long gone. I recognize the robin by his puffy chest and if on the ground his walk. With birds I can recognize the basic ones but others I have to look up. Animals are easier for me. I probably picked up a lot of it while backpacking and hiking, I always had one or two field guides in my pack. Photography sharpens the eye as well.

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  12. The silouette works out very nicely in deed!

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  13. yes, Ratty..I am the same. I just started bird watching about 3 years ago and have learned many new species...plus by reading other bloggers I have learned so much too!
    So much of nature was happening around me all these years and I was only partially "tuned into" it. My loss!!! I am so happy I am paying attention now and my life is so much richer because of it!

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  14. You are an expert now Ratty, seriously I am amazed at your knowledge of all these animals and hiking trails. I could learn from you, and I am :)

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  15. It's amazing. The more time we spend in the woods the more familiar everything is. What a wonderful way to expand your life and ours. Thanks

    Bill:www.wildramblings.com

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  16. Holy Rolly, Batman! I've been caught out by Ratty!

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  17. Just wait until you recognize birds by sound. As you walk through your woods you will hear the calls and say oh there is "so and so..." They are like old friends that you have stumbled upon again. I love that!

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  18. Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season and amazing 2010!

    peace,
    Mike
    Happy Holidays from livelife365

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  19. The understanding and appreciation of the different parts of the nature is a long time process for me. The robin photo looks nice.

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  20. It is wonderful to be able to identify birds and other creatures. I remember the thrill I had when I spent the night on the Argentinian side of Iguazu falls and saw dozens of macaws and toucans flying in the jungle! Before, I had only seen them in pictures!

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