THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

21 October 2014

PREENING


I took this series of photos just before we went to Cornwall back in August and they've been sitting in a folder waiting for the right moment. OB is away all week and I have a decorating job to do for our new neighbour, which is taking up a lot of my time. Perfect timing. I imagine this little juvenile Robin is now sporting a fine red breast, but at the time, as you can see, the merest flush was appearing. It flew from the fence above to a metal stake in our vegetable patch...........


and the preening began......





A change of position......






Not quite happy..........






Done. 


OB's teacher posted on their class blog this morning, which was a huge relief. There was a picture of him raft building. We're allowed no contact at all, so seeing him looking happy was lovely. Only three more days to go. The house feels so empty and, of course, excessively quiet. 

Christmas card orders are enough to go to the printers so if anyone else is interested, there should be enough to go round. The wind today has been pretty extreme, but we've had worse and I think we've escaped the worst down here in the South West. I feel for any of you further North. So, until next time, here are the photo-shy boys from a couple of weeks ago when there was sun. It seems an age ago. Autumn is most certainly here. Have a good week wherever you are. 


43 comments:

  1. Your photos are, as always intensely beautiful, every little feather there for our perusal.

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  2. I just love the British Robins...♥️
    So much cuter than ours here in Canada...
    Sweet and petite...
    Beautiful photos...as always Em....
    Hope your boy is home soon...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. I think they're much smaller aren't they? They will eat from your hand if they get to know you. I have one who hangs around when I'm sorting out Triggers food and dives in as I walk away, but it hasn't landed on me yet.

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  3. LOVE your Robin photos! You are so lucky to be able to get close-ups like that! I'm tempted to go out and move my bird feeder closed but fear my hubby would have fits ;) Your camera takes lovely photos.

    Glad you were able to see OB on the teachers blog. Peace and quiet is nice but sometimes too quiet.

    Put me in for the cards too. I know the postage across the pond is horrid but I really love them.

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    1. I will Gail. Nno word from the printers yet which is a bit of a worry!

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  4. Robin's ablutions! Gorgeous!
    Jane x

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    1. There's a strange little polyp type thing hanging off its chest I notice.....not quite so gorgeous. xx

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  5. WELL done. :-)

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  6. Lovely photos Em. Perhaps the process of changing suit is a scratchy, ticklish process. He does look a trifle cross! I hope OB has had a wonderful camp. I remember the feeling of eerie quiet ... which usually meant mischief was being got into!! Enjoy the peace - there's washing ahead!

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    1. So true. The washing machine is girding its loins!

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  7. what a cracking series of shots of this juvenile Robin. Frist one could qualify for Tex's Good Fences

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    1. So it could! I keep meaning to get involved with that and the skies one but I never seem to find the time.

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  8. I hate it whenever any of mine are away even though it still leaves plenty at home, you wouldn't think I'd miss one!
    We fared pretty well with the storms, I think we just got a little of the bottom of it.
    Beautiful pictures as always x

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    1. It's killing us not being able to have any communication but I suppose it's for a good reason. I can't wait to have him back! x

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  9. What a handsome chap, all the different colours in the feathers! Isn't nature clever.

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    1. Absolutely. I love the structure of the feathers so close up.

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  10. Gorgeous set of pics Em, love the scratch, you'd think he'd fall off!

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    1. Incredible that he didn't really. That was one very tiny perch.

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  11. Young Robins are so cute and you have caught him and his preening antics beautifully.

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    1. Thanks Rosemary. More the camera than me I fear!

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  12. Great photos of the robin - you must be so pleased with your new camera :) I hope OB is home soon. I remember years ago my daughter went on a week long trip during the final year at primary school and no contact, apart from letters, was allowed. It was a very long week for us all - not knowing if she was ok :( Yet a year later a similar trip during first year at Secondary School and they were allowed to ring home as often as they liked. A much better idea as both she and rest of family were much happier knowing she was ok and enjoying herself.

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    1. We've just had the postcard they're allowed to send and he says he wants to cry and that he's homesick. I cried but there's a note on it from his teacher saying he's fine and that was the only time he got upset......I can't wait for Friday but it seems a long way away!

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  13. What a beautiful little bird.
    The feathers are exquisite.
    You take the most beautiful clear photos. I am in awe.
    Hope Friday comes fast for you both. I think he will remember the fun.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. It's proving a very long week. I'm going to have to try not to cry when I see him again on Friday!

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  14. I adore those robin photographs Em - the odd red feather here and there - they'll all be red by now.

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    1. I wish I knew which one it was - there are so many here!

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  15. Darling little thing, fabulous photos of him Em.

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    1. Thanks Denise. I wish I had a way of knowing which one he was.

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  16. Funny, I just had a preening video on my blog - of bees!

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  17. A superb series of photos Em :-)

    The wind was very strong up here on Tuesday, gusting up to 60 mph according to my weather station, but thankfully we escaped with no damage bar the odd broken plant pot.

    Hope you are well and best wishes to all your family :-)

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    1. And to you and your family too David. The washing flew off the line in the wind so there was only a bit of mud damage!

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  18. I remember L going to France with the school at the same age. I thought I would enjoy the peace but I hated it! Couldn't wait to have him home again. Hopefully OB will have had a ball. LOVE the Robin shots- such fab little birds xx

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    1. I'm picking him up today at 2.45, coach delays aside. I can't wait. He's been winning points for the neatest bed making - we're stunned! xx

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  19. Beautiful shots Em, hope the decorating job gets finished soon.

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    1. The decorating will be an ongoing project I think. She's talking about me doing the lot and it's a four bedroom rough walled granite place!

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  20. What fabulous photos!! I hope that OB enjoys himself and that you do too!! xx

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    1. I've been pining to be honest Amy.Only a few hours to go.....xx

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  21. What a doll!
    You do take the best photos. I can see every feather.
    I imagine OB is home by now, and you two have a lot of catching up to do.

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    1. I've barely seen him as he has a friend staying for two nights! A nice quiet afternoon today I hope once we drop the friend home.

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