Watching the Robins in my garden is turning into something of a blood sport. Ever since moving in I have had some wonderful contacts and sights with these beautiful birds. Once I even had one eating out of the palm of my hand (it was fond of shortbread but then so am I!) One year we had one poor little chap with a bald head, who survived all winter like that. How does something like this,
Become this!
I know all about their need to fight and compete, and it is well known just how bad they can be to each other! Why they or for that matter we can’t seem to learn there is another way, plenty to go around! It is something I will never understand.
So far of the three, yes three, involved all are alive. Some doing better than others.
Both shots taken five min's after the fighting stopped!
I will try to keep up to date with them.
John
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
Hi John
Superb pictures showing a real-life drama. It must have been, at one and the same time, a privilege and horrifying to watch. I have often read about robins being highly territorial and so have been half-expecting similar behaviour in my two pairs for well over a year now. Happily they are co-existing without any friction - even to the point of dining from the same feeder table at the same time. Thanks for sharing this and do, please, keep the updates coming.
Squirrel
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
I often wonder how such a sweet little bird can be so vicious, apart from when we had a pair nesting in our garden I have only ever seen one, having seen those photo's (which are brilliant by the way) it is understandable why.
Hi John,
Fantastic photos, your camera or should I say you really captured them superbly - did you take them on highspeed shutter (is that the right term!)?
Looking forward to your update.
Regards
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Thanks for kind words all. Kezmo, I leave my camera on sports function as a start point for that quick passing moment. But I wish I'd stayed calm and got the tripod out for a more steady shot. I always get lost in the moment and just point and click. I'm a Birdie first!
This fight lasted about five minutes, one day I will learn to stay calm!
Those rascally robins! Glad to see no permanent harm done. That first photo at the top of the thread is wonderful - it looks like something off one of the RSPB's Christmas cards!
Make the boy interested in natural history if you can; it is better than games [Robert Falcon Scott]
Sports function?!?!?.... I have just got to page 15 of the Camera User Guide (154 pages in all!!), I thought I was doing really well........and then you spoilt it all with the mention of a tripod.....humph!!!!!!!
I think I'd best start small.......perhaps a snail or may be something inanimate!
I was chatting with a pro at the weekend and he kindly admitted that of any days shooting he may bin 95%.
His one real bit of advice was be prolific take as many as you can, you never know when you have the one you feel is right. Digital has helped us all in that! imagine the cost without. Sports is usually given a little person running symbol on the display/wheel.
Good luck as that is what we all need.
John, I have never seen robins fight like that. I have only seen them chase one another out of their territory. The sequence of your photos had me worried as I thought the robin on the ground was going to be dead. Fantastic photography. Thank you.
Blimey John! Great captures and pleased to know that all or ok if somewhat battered! Look forward to hearing more about them in the future!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
I've not seen them locked in combat today but they are still chasing each other. The injured one still is!
Poor little guy!
The other two are looking very well.
Awww bless him. Is he managing to eat and drink?
Absolutely fantastic pictures which tell a great story of how things really are in the wild! Your clearly a great photographer and thanks for your contributions to the community. Keep up the good work! :)
LS
Poor thing! Hope he makes a full recovery...
Hi john
Fabulous pictures and thank you for sharing with us here.
Your pictures are beautifully portrayed. I love the young Robin - they look so sweet with all the speckly plumage that they have. They look like a different species of bird altogether.
I have to say that is one best selection of all out action shots of Robins in a ring for battle - i have ever seen before.
I really hope the Robin that has not faired so well gets over his shock and is alright, Is his right leg functioning at all as it looks a bit limp. I do not know if there is anything you can do except keep an eye on him and make sure he is feed and watered.
Keep my fingers crossed he is alright!
Please let us know how he does, and some more pictures pleaseeeee!!!! {thumbs up}
Kathy and Dave