The good parent — a robin (Turdus migratorius) is off to feed its chicks at Ashbridge’s Bay Tuesday. © BCP 2010
Really, I ought to get up earlier. By mid-morning, when I finally arrived at the bay, (Ashbridge’s), it was sweltering, even by the water and in the shade. A hundred degrees in the shade. Seriously.
But it was worth the effort to get to the beach, despite the oppressive heat and humidity today. Just as I began my amble along the path from the parking lot, an American robin (Turdus migratorius) flew in and landed on a nearly leafless branch near me.
Even though robins are as common as dirt at the bay, I’m not one to miss trying for a shot like that, so I swung my camera around quickly to grab it. It was only then that I realized the robin had the wherewithal for a nice early lunch.
But lunch for whom? Since the robin was perching and holding tenaciously to its prey, I got the impression it was about to fly off and take the food to some nestlings. Hmm. Seems like an odd time of year for new babies to me, but when I checked a couple of references, I quickly learned that robins may typically have two to three broods during the breeding season. Looks like this parent was indeed off to its nest with its prize worms.
I should have stayed longer with this bird — perhaps I could have seen where its nest was — but I was on another mission. More on that later.
© BCP 2010
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