When I was walking Olga in Golders Hill Park over the weekend, I saw a group of birds all feeding in a field, pulling worms out of the ground. I wasn't fast enough with the camera to catch one with a worm, but I did get this unusual picture of a bird looking at me head-on.
Here's the same bird from the side. I believe it's a redwing, the UK's smallest thrush, which winters here but otherwise lives in Scandinavia.
What a great sighting! There's a saying about redwing's warning, something about the weather, I think. I have to check now.
ReplyDeleteDid you find it? I can't find anything online. All I get is weather reports for Red Wing, MN!
DeleteThat is most definitely a redwing. I had to do a double-take of your photo after following the link. Great shots.
ReplyDeleteI was pleased to find it's a relatively interesting bird. I originally thought it was "just" a song thrush.
DeleteHow lovely...not seen one for many years. Used to see them occasionally around here.
ReplyDeleteThere were quite a few of them in the flock I saw -- but maybe the flocks are few and far between. Apparently they don't show up much in gardens. They like open fields.
DeleteWell-spotted Steve.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteSome years ago, a few weeks earlier than this, time a flock descended on the large holly bush on our boundary in next door's garden. They stayed for two or three days gradually greedily stripping the berries and then moved on. We've always hoped to see them again, but never have. They really did brighten up those few days of winter.
ReplyDeleteWe used to have similar experiences with cedar waxwings on our holly in Florida.
DeleteNice photos!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteGreat photos. A piercing face off in the first one. A display of majesty in the second.
ReplyDeleteThat bird is definitely keeping a cautious eye on me.
DeleteWhat a handsome bird -- that bit of red just sets him off.
ReplyDeleteIt does, doesn't it?!
DeleteI don't trust the one looking you straight in the eyes.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely looks like a challenge!
DeleteAw. What a fine little bird!
ReplyDeleteI was happy to have spotted something so interesting.
DeleteWhat a cute little thrush. I love how it's looking at you. I think it's saying "Take my picture and put me on your blog. Thank you!"
ReplyDeleteI think it's saying, "Back off." LOL
DeleteFunny that they called it a red wing when the red isn't on the wing.
ReplyDeleteIt's true! But "redside" sounds funny.
DeleteTwo great photos! The markings on the head of this bird are very similar to the markings on our cactus wren here. I love the shot with the bird looking straight at you.
ReplyDeleteI can see the similarity with the cactus wren! This is bigger than a wren, though.
DeleteThe title of your post made me think of the redwing blackbirds we have here.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos, Steve!
I love redwing blackbirds!
DeleteA lovely little bird and you captured such wonderful photos for identification! Do they have forward vision? Okay.... I just looked and yes, most birds can see both ways!
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I did not know that myself.
DeleteBirds are scary when they give us the direct look. Definitely resting b*tch face.
ReplyDeleteHa! It's true!
DeleteExcellent photos! I love how in the first one the bird looks like it's glaring at you :)
ReplyDeleteAs Margaret said above, resting b*tch face!
DeleteRedwing makes my favorite leather work boot here in the U.S.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...haven't tried those!
DeleteHi Steve, Dave and Olga. That little bird is looking at you like it's saying I think I've seen you before. (lol)
ReplyDeleteAnd "I never want to see you again"! LOL!
DeleteWere you flat on the ground to take those two great pictures?
ReplyDeleteNo! I was using a long zoom across an open expanse of grass. I did crop the photos quite a bit, though, which is probably why they look like I'm low-down.
DeleteGreat shots. I'll tell that the bird isn't looking at you, but figuring out where the next worm is!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, they were all very fixated on food. I suspect they're fueling up for their return flight to northern Europe.
DeleteThrushes are songbirds aren't they? It's pretty whatever it is.
ReplyDeleteThey apparently make a "seep seep" call to contact each other -- they might also sing, I'm not sure.
DeleteDid it fluff up after being dried?
ReplyDelete