This exquisite robin is watching and waiting, as I am watching and waiting for my beautiful old Golden Retriever to start feeling better.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 800
Canon 5DIII, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
I love this shot. This Eastern Yellow Robin looks strangely majestic for such a small bird, with the angle and the complementary colours of yellow and blue helping the composition to seem a little regal.
Eastern Yellow Robins perch and pounce, and their eyesight is quite remarkable. I’ve seen them spot a bug on the ground at least 10 metres from their perch. They bred here again this year, which was wonderful. In fact I’m sure I photographed one of the youngsters, I’ll go and look for one of the shots…
1/800, f/5.6, ISO 1000
Canon 5DSR, Canon 200-400 L IS USM EXT
The background distractions aren’t pretty in this shot but I kind of, almost, like the way they frame youngster. Such a sweet little bird as it is gradually transitioning to yellow and losing its baby-brown feathers.
It’s been another tough week for my old dog. She went so well yesterday that I was horribly shocked this morning when she couldn’t stand but she has improved during the day and just now she followed me into the kitchen. She ate a little from her bowl for the first time since coming down with geriatric vestibular syndrome – I’ve been literally spoon feeding her, spending up to twenty minutes at a time just to tempt her to eat, often even that wouldn’t work. Hopefully she’ll soon be feeling heaps better.
Sorry that this is a dog post as well as a bird post, I hope you like the robins and please use the search box if you’d like to see some of my other Eastern Yellow Robin photographs.
Happy birding, Kim
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Two beautiful shots Kim – I love seeing the individual feathers.
All the very best to you and your wonderful mate – what a difficult illness xxx
Thank you Fiona. My lovely old retriever has been progressing so well with the illness but now something else has arisen for her and she is due to undergo surgery tomorrow… I’m hoping it will be simple and effective xo
DON’T apologise for this being a dog and a bird post. I am thrilled for you that your dog improved enough to eat from her bowl, and hope that her recovery continues. With no more setbacks.
And thank you for the shots of this charmer. Spotting an insect from ten metres away? I am put to shame. Again.
Thanks EC. She’s back to being spoon-fed this morning but has just walked across the room to look through the window which is a good sign.
Oh, I’m so sorry to hear about your dog, Kim! I hope she has a speedy recovery. I know someone who runs sled dog teams from Mt Buller and one of his Huskies came down with the same symptoms as yours. It couldn’t walk or stand and they had to spoon feed it but it was refusing food as well. But long story short it is back with the team and fit and healthy. Hopefully yours will get over it soon and be back to her old self.
What a gorgeous photo of one of my favourite birds. You’re so lucky to have them breeding on your property, Kim! I have a pair down in the bush near where I live but haven’t seen any babes as yet but probably doesn’t mean there isn’t any. They are always so well hidden. Hey, guess what I saw yesterday but an Azure Kingfisher and yes, you were right…you hear the splash and then you see them. He was soooo tiny! I’ll post a photo. Not the best as he was so far away and so tiny but I got him and near where I live!
All the best, Kim, and big hugs. xx
It’s a horrid illness. I’m glad your friend’s Husky made a full recovery, I’m hoping that Mai will too. Mai wouldn’t eat for several days either, this morning she took one spoonful before refusing any more. She’s drinking by herself now though which is great, it was hard trying to get enough water in with a syringe, especially when she hated me doing it.
Young robins are well-camouflaged! I had a sweet experience with them when I was sitting in the bush and heard an adult robin giving an alarm call because two tiny fledglings had snuggled on a branch less than a metre from me.
Oh yay re your Azure Kingfisher! I’ll look out for your photograph, how exciting xo