A red bird day…

It was bleak this morning. The Downs had been covered with a light dusting of overnight snow. Not too severe, but it was cold and bleak when I finally made it into work this morning.

By lunchtime though, the weather had improved, although the thermometer was barely hovering above freezing. But the light was good 😉 Plus a heating breakdown at work meant it was as 'warm' outside as it was in.

It was a day for the smaller birds. Smaller, red birds to be precise. A small flock of redwings were flitting between the woodland alongside one of the local fields.

Redwings (Turdus iliacus) are small thrush-like birds. They have a distinctive light bar over the eye, but get their name from the reddish underwing. Both features are visible in this shot.
Redwing

Here you can see the resemblance to the more common thrush.

There were numerous smaller birds flitting among the trees, and several blackbirds and magpies, but my eye was taken with this little robin, trying its best to hide in open view by pretending to be a teasel seed head. I think it needs a new strategy 😉
Robin on teasel
Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

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This Post Has 11 Comments

  1. gdare

    6 Jan 2009

    That robin looks excellent :up:

  2. Flying Red Fox Blog

    6 Jan 2009

    Lovelly photos. 😀 Hopefully it will be warmer for you at work today, its currently -6c in Bognor at the moment !:psmurf:

  3. SittingFox

    6 Jan 2009

    It was -6c at our nearest weather station last night, but it was probably below that here. I did feel a little cold when I went out for a walk this morning…

    Anyway, the South Downs look nice with the snow dusting, and great to see the redwings. But that robin shot made me smile 🙂

  4. KayFour

    6 Jan 2009

    Very nice birds! I love bird photos. Did I ever tell you have I several Auduban drawings framed and hanging on the wall? And I have bird sculptures in my apartment?

  5. cakkleberrylane

    7 Jan 2009

    Great collection of shots. I love the robin on teasel!

  6. Words

    7 Jan 2009

    Adele, yes it's been a pretty sharp cold snap this year, but somehow at least winter feels like winter this year. Glad you liked the robin. I couldn't resist it sitting there like that.

  7. Words

    7 Jan 2009

    Mark, well it wasn't any warmer on Tuesday but I think it will get better slowly during the week. Mind you, the sunshine has been nice.

  8. Words

    7 Jan 2009

    Darko, thanks!

  9. Words

    7 Jan 2009

    Hi Karen, I hadn't realized you were such a fan of birds, but I'm glad you're enjoying the photos. I'm still amazed at how many species there are locally, and there's plenty I've yet to see that I know must be out there.

  10. Vulpes vulpes

    21 Jan 2009

    LOL at description of the Robin!:D

  11. Words

    21 Jan 2009

    :cheers:

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