Getting pushy in a puddle
Two American robins refusing to share a puddle (Photo by Janis Turner)
This is the story of two American robins not very successfully sharing one road puddle for bathing.
I observed this down by the front street from my condo, and the sun was just up over the buildings in the east. I heard a lot of robin activity out front of my place while I was busy doing household chores, and went to the front door to check it out. During the Nature Conservancy of Canada’s Big Backyard BioBlitz week, I was particularly aware of bird noises near the house. So, I was on alert for interesting critter happenings around me.
I had made the choice to do my bioblitz in a walking circle around my house (about one kilometre radius, as the crow flies) to reflect my local and more literal “backyard." I used my pocket camera (versus a camera that one can add on a lens to), as more of my neighbours could do this sort of exercise using a cell phone or small (pocket) camera.
The pictures are not as clear as they might be under other circumstances, but the puddle was a distance away in the deep shade, and these two were continuously moving as they jostled for puddle position.
Watch the puddle pushover unfold in the slideshow below:
-
Click on the image to enlarge.First there was one. And along came a second. (Photo by Janis Turner) -
Click on the image to enlarge.Pretending the other one isn't there. (Photo by Janis Turner) -
Click on the image to enlarge.But he is there! (Photo by Janis Turner) -
Click on the image to enlarge.Who does he think he is trying to use my puddle! (Photo by Janis Turner) -
Click on the image to enlarge.Ignoring! (Photo by Janis Turner) -
Click on the image to enlarge.Getting cranky! (Photo by Janis Turner) -
Click on the image to enlarge.Almost out of MY puddle! (Photo by Janis Turner) -
Click on the image to enlarge.The interloper robin being pushed out of the puddle. (Photo by Janis Turner)
In the end, the interloper robin that is being pushed out of the puddle just hopped off to a nearby lawn, and the remaining bird stood and looked around, finished a bit of a bath (seemed a bit distracted) and then went off to do its bird business.
About the Author
Janis Turner enjoys her retirement time to go walking in her neighbourhood and beyond, on birding outings, and volunteering (especially with wildlife, conservation and citizen science focused organizations) with like minded friends in Calgary and area.
