Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Robins

The American Robin
over winters in my area,
as long as they can find food.

It warmed to above freezing.

The Robins were out eating berries.

Not a sign of Spring

but certainly a sign of hope.

32 comments:

meggie said...

I learn something new every day! I had no idea that Robins with red breasts were anywhere else but England. Lovely photos as usual.

Q said...

Dear Meggie,
The American Robin was named after the English Robin even though they are very different. I think I read that early settlers named them. The American Robin is in the Thrush family. Maybe Chris in England can tell us what family the English Robin is in.
Years ago the first Robin was my way of knowing Spring had arrived. Now they are here all year long so I wait for the bees and the butterflies to announce Spring. Usually Spring arrives in mid-March.
Thank you. I was rather pleased with this series.
Sherry

Marvin said...

A fantastic job of capturing the rusty red color on the robin's breast.

Our overnight temperatures are forecast to be in the mid-teens. I shudder (shiver?)to think what your's are going to be. Stay warm.

Jayne said...

I've seen a few Robins in the past week too. They always make me feel like spring is just around the corner too. Beautiful photos Sherry!

Q said...

Hi Marvin,
As I write, 7:53 am it is zero degrees. I do not know how low it was overnight. At some point cold is just cold! The forecast is for 50 degrees for this Saturday. I live in Missouri...anything goes around here.
Seeing the Robins was a delight. There were about ten of them. Glad the Robins were able to find something to eat. Robins are the one bird that always give me hope for warmer days.
Time to bundle and feed the birds.
Brrr....
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Jayne,
It has been so cold here! Seeing Robins is hopeful!
You have so many diffferent birds in your yard and at your feeders. I keep thinking I will see some Waxwings. I was looking at the Cedars and I do not see any berries. Could be the late freeze last spring affected them. Even my spreaders are with out berries. The Crab trees are also bare. It will take a couple of years for the gardens to recoup. The Waxwings may be in your area looking for food.
Where would we be without the birds? I do not think I would survive winter here in Misssouri.
I would have to follow the birds and the butterflies.
Sherry

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Great shots of the Robins. We too had a flock a week or so ago. They just passed by because all of our berries have long been eaten. It makes me think we should plant more berry bushes and trees. Our berry crop wasn't what it could have been in the first place due to the late freeze last spring and the mini drought we had.

Q said...

Dear Lisa,
Almost all the berries are gone from my bushes and trees too. I did pickup a bag of frozen mixed berries I will put out for the berry eaters. I have seen the Robins eat raisins too. I also am planting more berry producing bushes. We can make a big difference for the birds and butterflies by planting for them.
Stay warm. It is bitter cold here.
Sherry

Mary said...

Beautiful Robin! When I lived in MD and DE, seeing the first Robin of the year was a definite sign of spring. Now they live with us all year. Nice birds.

I hope they stay close by, Sherry, so I can see them up close and personal on your blog.

Great shots!

Barbara said...

I like the pictures of "your" American Robin. It seems to be a bigger bird than the robins we have here. "Our" robins stay here in winter, and they prefer to be near houses and buildings. They also like oats...

Q said...

Dear Mary,
They do stay around here even when it is zero degrees! No worms as they are frozen or down very deep.
I think the Robins are very beautiful. Bees say "Spring" for me.
I will work on Robin in flight. Shouldn't be too hard come real Spring.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Barbara,
I would love to read your blog. If you have room for one more reader I would so love to be invited!
I will try some oats! Our Robins are worm eaters and berries. I have seen them eat bugs too.
I bet there are some birds that would like oats. I could put it out with the cracked corn.
Thanks for the idea.
Sherry

Deb said...

With the bitter cold temps we have been experiencing we've added lots of bits of fruit as well as bread out with our daily seed. Today a Cardinal graced our garden. It was wonderful to see the brilliant red against the snowy branches :-}

Q said...

Dear Deb,
I am so excited for you and your family! Now that the male Cardinal found you he will bring the Mrs. and lots of friends! You will be in Cardinal haven soon.
Winter is so enjoyable with the birds.
I too put out fruit. Once in awhile I will put out bread. My birds are enjoying cracked corn as well as their mixed seed and nuts.
Always suet. I found one that has bugs in it and the Wrens like it.
Enjoy the Cardinals.
Sherry

Saucy said...

My brother's name is Robin. The birds have a special place in my heart. Thank you for sharing them with us.

Catherine said...

Beautiful captures of the Robin's Q!! Yes usually when we see Robins it is the first sign of Spring..:D And it is always a joy to see the first butterfly and bee!
The pic's of your Robins..give me that spring feeling !!
Hug's,
Cat

Jeanne said...

I can hardly wait to see the first robin of Spring!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

I read something that said that you can measure the success of your garden by the birds it sustains through the winter.
You must have many naturally bearing berry bushes for them to stay with you.

Although I know our honeysuckles are invasive and should be yanked out by the root--I'm glad they're here in this weather for all the berry-loving birds!

My plan for this year's garden (every year I attempt to focus my energy and time on ONE improvement, though I have need for many) is to add more winter-bearing fruited bushes...like cranberry.....

Q said...

Dear Saucy,
The Robins are beautiful birds. Not too skittish either. Once Spring comes they will be nesting and hunting for worms. I see them when I walk in the little woods near my house.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Cat,
It really will not be too long now before we will be out in the dirt.
We have about six weeks before Spring is here. I hope we have a regular Spring, not too early!
When I see the Robins I have hope!
It has been frightenly cold, -2 Wednesday night! Forecast is for a big warm up this weekend. I will enjoy that.
I had hoped the Robins would give forth, "Spring is coming hang on!"
Smiles and laughs.
Hugs and tea,
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Jeanne,
It will not be too long! Once January is over Spring seems to rush in. We start looking for Spring Migration!
Stay warm and cozy.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Nina.
I keep planting more and more habitat for the birds and butterflies. Cranberries do not grow in my area but rasberries and black berries do. Having a berry patch would be very nice for cover and for berries. I ask myself "What is good for the birds and the butterflies?" If it is good for them it is good for me.
Enjoy planting for the birds. Little bit by little bit backyard gardens can make a difference.
Glad you are thinking about the birds.
Sherry

smilnsigh said...

Oh my! Do they?

Mari-Nanci

Q said...

Dear Mari-Nanci,
They do for me!
If the Robins can make it through the winter so will I!
LOL
Sherry

For Love Of Home said...

Your photos are just beautiful, I have to take a few moments to study each one. You really know how to capture wildlife.
Cindy

Q said...

Dear Cindy,
Thank you. I also study the pictures!
Sometimes the photos I choose to post are "many" layered.
Here each of these Robins is different. I took these shots with a small lens (55-200) on the camera. I was very near the birds.
To be able to be close I had to stand very still and let the birds come to me. Becoming still is a way of letting my inner "still small voice" speak to me and me to listen.
This flock of Robins stays together during the Winter months and that reminds me to stay connected with family and friends. I used to "hibernate" in January and February.
I know to stay active in some way. That helps to keep the winter blues at bay.
With the photographs of the birds I try to show relationship. Either my relationship with them or their relationship with each other. I try to show how the birds can teach us.
Usually in mid to late January, people in my area are getting cabin fever. Robins represent "spring" and thus the promise of warmer days. Robins easily can bring the feeling of hope.
There is also just "pretty bird"! I call that a bird report.
Often a series is about the body, mind and soul connection to the natural world.
Glad you enjoyed this essay.
Sherry

Anonymous said...

I wondered where robins spent the winter. Our won't be here until early spring. Sometimes, the get here a bit too early and I feel so sorry for them trying to find food in the clear places under the trees.
Sandy

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Very interesting site that I find rich, pleasant and well organized!
Honour for me if you include it in my "Multilingual" topliste Panorama

Http://everyoneweb.fr/topliste

And to participate in the multilingual forum Panorama

http://panorama.monforum.com

Best continuation!
Sincerrely Yours! Kamdou

Anonymous said...

Amazing Robin photos and we do get them from time to time who winter here in my area! With all our grapes around this year, I am surprised to have not seen one yet for 2008! Send them north please!

Q said...

Dear Sandi,
These Robins were finding berries on the bushes and trees. They seem to stick together in the winter in flocks of 8-10. Seeing the Robins is always a pleasant surprise. I do not see them every day.
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Kamdou,
Very interesting. A multilingual site. Hmmm...
Sherry

Q said...

Dear Mon@rch,
Next time I see them I will let them know you have grapes. I have raisins...close. Mine are Sunmaid rather than Nature's own! I bet they like the ones on the vine better.
Thanks.
Sherry