I know two things that are true in this world.  Where there is water, there is life, and it seems that robins are the nearest things to ducks or other water birds in their bathing habits.  No truer than during the past forty days or so when there has been no measurable moisture.  It is definitely bird central at our two water dishes these days.  The activity is non-stop with robins, western bluebirds, juncos, solitaires, nuthatches, jays, and finches the most frequent visitors. But robins bathe constantly, regardless of water temperature.  If there is no skim ice or we have refilled the dishes with room temperature water, the robins are there, flinging water everywhere.

Robins bathing

Robins bathing-2

Another interesting thing is that juncos (the smaller grey birds with brown on their backs) love to eat water off of grass and branches, just as they eat snow and ice.

Robins bathing-4

Photographing the organized chaos of bathing is interesting.  I did bursts of shots with the shutter speed at 1/1250 of a second in order to stop some of the motion, using my 70-200mm lens at 200 f.28.  Then, upon occasion, as in the shot below, a robin will just sit and hog the water.  It must feel good.

Robins bathing-3

As we enter the holiday season, I hope you find ample opportunities to create photographic images of all types, learn, and have fun during the process.  

Keep safe.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@