Sunday 18 January 2015

Fleeting (and flitting)


This is just a fleeting visit. 

We've had a wondrously snowy weekend and spent a lot of time outdoors with Joe building snowmen, making footprints and taking so many photos I don't even know where to begin. Which brings me neatly to today's post.

I've always, always wanted to get a decent photo of a robin. But they're very quick and always fly off before I'm ready. I don't own a zoom lens. So, until yesterday, I was resigned to the fact that it just wasn't meant to be.

We were crunching and creaking down a snowy lane and I was hanging back and photographing the catkins when this little birdy approached me and came very close indeed. At one point he was hovering next to the camera; the rest of the time he can't have been further than a foot away from the lens. In fact he seemed to be following me for quite a while. I took as many pictures as I possibly could (these are just a few).


I know that robins can be quite territorial so maybe he was letting me know who was in charge of that particular patch.

I also know my mum loved robins and wondered whether it was a little whisper that she was around. I don't hold many beliefs relating to that kind of thing, but there have been one or two unusual occurrences of late which have made me wonder. I know counsellors refer to this is the 'bargaining' part of bereavement: casting about for any sign that it's not the end. I remain open to most theories but if something gives you a bit of comfort and hope when you need it, then that's no bad thing.

I came away feeling so excited that I'd got so near to this little bird, and it was him who'd picked me out. I've never seen a robin in such close proximity before and it was a lovely experience.

I hope you're enjoying the weekend and that you're lucky enough to have some snow - it really does make everything seem magical.


22 comments:

  1. Gorgeous robin shot! When I take photos that I want in close-up, I tend to take them at normal length and then crop the photo, I find this works better than zooming in. What kind of camera do you use? You take wonderful photos and I wondered whether it was something special or just a little compact jobbie? I've a Nikon D50 (ancient) and recently replaced it with a Nikon D90 (can't remember the size of lens on either camera, I'm not too techie!) which I'm just getting to grips with, plus I have a little compact Pentax Optio RZ10 but it's falling apart from over-use!
    Margaret P

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    1. Hi, I use a Nikon D3000 - I've had it for five years or so (must be due a service by now) and I use the 18-55mm lens it came with.
      I also like to play around with editing: Photoshop, PicMonkey and Pixlr are all good (PicMonkey for collages mainly).
      A DSLR was a big investment but possibly one of the best things I've ever purchased!

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  2. What a beautiful picture Sarah! And lovely that it makes you feel connected to your Mum. Robins are lovely little birds. My granny had one which would visit her daily for ages, hopping into her tiny back kitchen and chirping until she gave it some breadcrumbs. Little bossy boots! Bee xx

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    1. They're wonderful aren't they? There used to be one which would follow my grandma around the garden and dive at the broom while she swept.
      S x

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  3. Look at that cheeky little robin! I have been taking millions of robin pictures today but only two show the bird in its full glory. I am glad you found comfort in seeing the wee robin. x

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  4. Wow, wow, wow! This photo is amazing, I think an entry to next years Countryfile competition? Perhaps he was a little present for you :) xxx

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    1. Maybe submitting the picture would be another 'brave' thing for me to do this year. Watch this space! x

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  5. Fantastic photos, lucky you, they are indeed very hard to photograph, and it's amazing that he was so close. Stunning. CJ xx

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    1. Thanks, CJ - I suspect this was a very lucky one-off which is why I got so ridiculously excited!
      S x

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  6. These are beautiful photos, Sarah. I love the sharpness of the bird himself.

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  7. That's a money shot, Sarah! I wrote about a robin for my first precious things post. I feel an affinity for them. They are very inquisitive birds, so perhaps he was just checking you out. And if you felt closer to your Mum at that moment - bargaining or not - then hold it close my lovely.
    So glad that you had a good weekend (although slightly envious of the snow).
    Leanne xx

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  8. Amazing shot. Robins are such inquisitive birds they seem to be drawn to humans unlike any other birds. The children fed one from their hands at a local bird reserve and were totally enchanted by the experience. Robins was my maiden name perhaps I should have kept it! Hope you had a lovely weekend :)

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    1. You too. And robins are quite brazen little things, aren't they? That's a big part of their appeal for me...

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  9. What a stunning photo! Definitely a Countryfile calendar entry. And I am so pleased he was special to you in bringing you comfort. x

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  10. Wonderful! I am so glad you got this shot, since you'd been hoping for one, and yes, take the whispers if they give you comfort. I would. xx

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  11. Your pictures are wonderful!! I am glad that the robin visited you! xx

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  12. Wow nicely captured! I keep trying to get one but the little darlings keep moving!

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  13. Such fantastic pictures of the robin. I have never been able to get a really good robin picture either. We have a robin in the garden who has started coming right up to the back door.

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  14. Gorgeous, gorgeous images. We were promised snow but woke to just a sprinkling of icing sugar. But we're in the river valley, up on the hills they had proper snow. I keep saying I want to move up there as that happens every winter. But to move a mere three or four miles for snow is clearly madness!

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    1. It is wonderful though, isn't it? I hope you can see some from your windows...
      I can see why people might find it mad if you moved for the snow, but I do like the idea of it :)

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