Grounded Robin
Uploaded: May 31, 2012
A very pretty little Eopsaltria australis (Eastern Yellow Robin) caught during some very peculiar behaviour. A trio of these birds fluttered down from the
surrounding trees, fluffed up their feathers, opened their beaks and flattened themselves on the ground in a patch of sunlight.
Photographed in the Boorganna National Park, outside Comboyne, NSW, Australia.
Canon EOS 40D with Canon 100-300mm USM lens: RAW, f/13 @ 1/200sec, 220mm, ISO 100, Vivitar off camera flash unit.
Exif: F Number: 13, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/200 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 100, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 220.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 40D
Arthur Bohlmann May 31, 2012
Beautiful bird #1466308Hayden Cannon May 31, 2012
Great capture of these beautiful birds Dennis, great colours, lighting, comp and details! #10162792David Resnikoff May 31, 2012
Fantastic photoDetails are outstanding
David R #10162816
Dennis Gay May 31, 2012
Ciao ARTHUR, HAYDEN & DAVID!!!So good to see you all up at Boorganna checking out the local birds.
Loads of thanks for the accoldes and encouragement for this unusual Robin study.
GB
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Paul R. Nelson May 31, 2012
Nice capture, Dennis; quick work to take advantage of this unusual occurance. Excellent focus and exposure. From the looks of this one's feathers, I would guess that it is a young one, which might explain the odd behaviour. Thanks for sharing the story behind the image.Paul #10163458
Dennis Gay May 31, 2012
Well met PAUL!Good to see you at Boorganna for a spot of bird watching.
A plethora of thanks for your great feedback mate.
It was really odd. One of them lay down like this but with one wing half outstretched.
GB
Dennis #10163576
Paul R. Nelson May 31, 2012
You are welcome, Dennis. I wonder if it was two young ones that left their nest too soon and a parent, as an adult bird with young nearby will do that with one of their wings so they look wounded in an attempt to distract predators from the young ones. This one looks to me like it could be a little young to be out of the nest. #10163596Dennis Gay May 31, 2012
G'day again PAUL,Well what is really weird about their behaviour is that before they "went to ground" all three birds were flying around and even feeding on grubs they hunted in the grass. This "laying low" behaviour happened suddenly, they all did it at the same time, all had their beaks open and after about ten minutes they flew off and things went back to normal.
GB
D! #10163618
Beth OMeara May 31, 2012
Wonderful capture, Love the detail and coloring. #10163949Dennis Gay June 01, 2012
Hellooooo BETH!So good to see you down at ground level taking a peek at this lovely little Robin.
Massive thanks for your "Wonderful" feedback kiddo.
GB
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Rita K. Connell June 01, 2012
beautiful capture indeed Dennis. Robins are very funny birds they do alot of funny things. I have captured them acting the same way but on the roof of our shed...the first time I thought it was dead when I looked out and saw it lying thier not moving for a long time. then it just woke up and flew away. #10164356Dennis Gay June 01, 2012
Howdy RITA!So nice of you to get down on the grass with me to check out this lovely li'l bird.
Max thanx for your great feedback and very interesting anecdote.
I spoke to my camera club's bird photography guru tonight and he says that not only these Robins but quite a few other species do the same thing. They are having a sunbake. Soaking up a bit of vitamin D it seems. 8-)
GB
Dennis #10164411
Dennis Gay June 01, 2012
A big TWEET, TWEET, TWEET Mr EDITOR!!!!!My Robin and I thank you kindly for the PICK!
GB
D! #10164696
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