Picture Of The Week 02-01-10

Where: Richmond, VA • Wilkinson Rd.

Notes: On a return trip from town, I noticed a large gathering of American Robins. They were feverishly feeding on the berries that adorn the hedge row across the street from the elementary school, just up the road from my house. I glanced over and noticed a few Cedar Waxwings in the group. That caught my attention. I proceeded home, grabbed my camera and returned to the scene. It was a feeding frenzy! Dozens of Robins along with a few Waxwings, hung from the branches, as they jockeyed for the best position on the ripe berry clusters. The air was filled with their high, thin, whistles and the short loud yips of the Robins. I pulled over to the left side of the road where the bushes had the most fruit and parked. Then, turned off the motor and turned on the flashers. Through the open window of my truck, I propped my elbows on the sill and took a few photos of this beautiful species. It was hard to decide what bird to photograph with so many in sight. A quick look through the view finder revealed what shots were clear and unobstructed. Other individual birds flew in and out of the bushes providing different poses on various branches. I was especially excited because this was my fiance's favorite bird. It was the best opportunity I'd had to capture such a multitude of images of this seemingly airbrushed silky bird at such a close range.