Supermodel

I know exactly what I’m looking for today for Carolina’s Mono Monday theme of simplicity, so I slowly make my way towards the reserve’s pond to capture reeds and water. But then this little chap distracts me and sets up to entertain me with his antics. 

This charming juvenile robin bobs about from branch to bench, a precocious little avian model posing for a photo shoot. We have a range of looks - the coy, the sulky, the attention seeking. Then there’s a frankly audacious display of grooming and scratching that leads to some impressive contortion. 

Then suddenly, as if it’s all just been too much, he flies down and spreads himself literally flat against the ground - wings spread open. Has he over-exerted himself with all this posing in the undeniably hot afternoon sun, spreading his wings to maximise the cooling surface area? Or has he decided to emulate other supermodels and sunbathe? Whatever the reason, he doesn’t stay for long, deciding it’s more comfortable back on a shaded perch. 

Although it’s not the best shot in terms of quality, it has to be the sunbathing pose that is my main today, with an much better extra of him looking just exhausted with the effort of it all. And following through on the idea of a photoshoot, there’s a ‘contact sheet’ of poses! 

Thanks so much yet again for your kind response to yesterday’s avocets and godwits. I’m slowly - very slowly - catching up with journals …. 

Incidentally, it seems that sunbathing really is a ‘thing’ for birds as shown below!

https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/gbw/gardens-wildlife/garden-birds/behaviour/sunbathing