Perhaps it’s the time of year, the courtship fine feathers and family raising done, but this robin’s breast looks to me more orange than red. I think it may be moulting time too. Some days when it pops into the garden, it looks as if it’s got out of its nest on the wrong side – feathers every which way. But then sloppy personal grooming doesn’t stop it from giving me hard looks, scrutinizing every gardening move in case worms and grubs are in the offing.
These days it is not so insistent and no longer perches on the nearest pot and cheeps until I make some attempt to provide. Not so many mouths to feed. So now, when it sees I’m only dead-heading or watering, it soon vanishes. Clearly it has other calls to make about the town.
#SimplyRed Day 2 Today on July Squares, Becky pays tribute to Cee whose inspiring photo challenges brought so many of us together. She is very much missed.
they do look rumpled don’t they at this time year, always bring cheer though. Well to us humans at least, not sure worms, spiders and other robins feel the same cheer!
I’m amused to be so scrutinized by a little bird, but as you say, they’re not too friendly with their fellows.
There’s nothing more relaxing than watching birds, I feel.
During the Covid lockdown, a sunbird family actually helped me get through a bout of depression — lol 🙂
I documented their nest-building and how they raised their chicks until they finally flew away: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ophmayPwkw&t=30s.
I’m sure you now look forward to seeing her every time you step into your garden, right?
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful little story, Tish 🙂
Hello, Sreejith, lovely to hear from you once more. Your little video is magical. Thank you for posting the link. Covid lockdown was very bad for the psyche. I still feel the repercussions in my nervous system. Brilliant that you found a way to soothe yours.
And yes, the robin. I do look forward to having her/him drop by whenever I go out gardening.
Our favourite bird, I love the robin.
While the robin is commonly called red, the actual colour is more of a reddish-orange hue. This is because the word orange as a colour name wasn’t widely used in English until the 16th century, after the robin had already been named. In Germany the bird is called Rotkelchen, also referring to red.
Thanks for that background info, Dina.
To be honest I always think robins look more orange than red! He’s still a handsome fellow anyway 🙂
Always look so sure of themselves.
Any creature visiting your garden is a blessing.
Ooh, Beverly. I’m not too sure about the pigeons. They want to gobble everything tha’s not netted.
I can understand your problem..but they see your garden as a good place to visit.
They certainly do 😉
English robins seem to have more of a storybook look to them, being cuter than the larger, more raucous American robins I contend with daily in my yard.
Yes, they are very self-possessed and their roundness gives them a picture book look.
We always have one nest in our cottage and so we are always careful not to disturb the little ones. We have them in orange, too.
Lovely to have a nest near your home and observe family life 🙂
Great picture Tish! The change in color just may be how the bird feels. Maybe not so good.
Feeling off colour, of course that must be it, Anne 🙂
I love European robins. Birds often stand behind a leaf. AI can somtimes work well to remove a leaf or twig. If the bird would stop trying to hide when I make a photograph that would help. 🙂
Yes, Sherry, they do not make life easy for the photographer 🙂
You’ve reminded me. I had a robin pal in the garden whom I’ve not seem this year – or his descendants. I wonder what’s happened?
Bigger birds do get them. That happened to my nesting blackbird this spring. Sparrowhawk we think.
Oh no!
A bit distressing to find the remnants!
Oh no!
Like Margaret, my robin seems to have found a better place to live. Wrens are around and so are some young magpies, which are being very chatty.
Young chatty magpies – that’s a nice image, Jude.
What a cutie!
Isn’t he/she just.
I’ve made friends with outer blackbirds and sparrows
Yes, blackbirds and sparrows are good garden mates too.
Mamma Blackbird corrects my mulching m8stakes every year!
Oh yes. That happens/is happening here too. I’m sure she knows best 😉
Awww!
🙂 🙂
Obviously a robin with attitude
It has been known to be rather bossy 🙂
Raising a family does indeed take a lot out of a little bird’s feathers. 😀
Spot on, Widders.
Bless..