patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

While out for a short hike along a ditch bank last week, saw this little guy hopping on the ground up ahead of me. Shot one pic from 1200mms with the Canon SX50, then got a little closer, about 450mm, before he/she flew off. These are cropped and not super sharp, but I'm confident plenty of people on this site can give me an id. thanks,patrick

Robin?

(Download)


(Download)

Jana-TAS Loc: Washington

It's the American Robin. I don't see how they could really like it down there with what they like to eat and how dry it is down there. So I can understand why you didn't know what it was. You prob. don't see them that often. We get so much rain up here that they love it. They love to eat the worms in people's lawns esp. when or after it has rained or if they happen to discover someone is feeding live mealworms.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Unless my memory is worse than I think, it certainly is a robin. Grew up with them all over the place in Western Kentucky. Can't recall seeing one here in So Cal, though on the map it is part of their year round territory.

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Thanks, Jana-Tas. I've never really been that involved with bird
photography until recently. I know we get robins in central New Mexico, but thought it would be later in spring, even though we are already getting record heat. Appreciate the ID. Patrick

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Thanks, robertjerl. I really need to purchase a good book on birds of the southwest so I can appreciate my walks a little more. Patrick

sailorsmom Loc: Souderton, PA

Good shots of a beautiful robin, Patrick! Yesterday was the first we saw several robins here in PA!

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Thanks for the reply. Appreciate the compliment. Hope you have a great spring. patrick

Jana-TAS Loc: Washington

Best book for you to purchase to track down quickly what you are seeing since birds are able to fly away on you is Birds of New Mexico by Stan Tekeila. Then you would be able to just grab your book out of your camera case or if you have it on a book case in your home and hurry up and flip through it while the bird is fresh in your mind. There are hundreds of bird books and many will give one of entire country or 1/2 the country and not just the one state so then you will have to look at more than really needed to track down what you're looking for. I'll never forget the 1st time when seeing the Turkey Vulture along side a highway about an hr. & 1/2 from here. Quickly passing on the highway. It was on the ground feeding on something. I had no idea what it was. I had to hurry up & grab the Birds of Washington book out of the camera case. Once I saw that picture though I knew that's exactly what it was. So now whenever we go over to Central-Eastern Wa I keep my eyes peeled for that bird when we get to that area. You never know too sometimes during a winter you might see something you've never seen before and might need your book.

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Thank you Jana. I'll look for this. Do you know if it comes in a pocket edition? Something you could carry with you? patrick

Jana-TAS Loc: Washington

It's just a square size book so can fit easily in the camera cases. Prob. about 2 x 2 1/2 inches. I don't see a ruler handy here to be able to measure my book that is in the case or I would do it now. If you have a local Wild Birds Unlimited near you they could possibly have it to save you on shipping. If not just look online.

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

Thanks again. patrick