Fledgling by darylo

Fledgling

All morning long, I have heard this little squeak--like a cricket in a corner, I know it's there, but I can't see it. I'm not sure what bird this is, but the house finches have been hovering outside my window in the cherry tree, and I often suspected they must have built a nest in the bushes somewhere below. I cannot find the nest, but I investigated the little chirping and then there was a flutter in the branches. Ah-ha! Isn't it darling? I love the little tufts of hair on his head (best viewed large). I think I could win an award for funniest photography stance: I was halfway IN the bush, trying to aim my lens high up (with manual focus--too many obstacles--surprised I even got this!). I wonder what folks must think when they drive by?

Oh, and very good news still on the Robin front. I can't get a good photo of the Robin fledgling, but s/he is all mottled and standing, and looking ready for some flight from nest (that is, when mom and dad aren't mad at me for peeking in). Does anyone know if an American Robin stays with the parents to learn how to get food and such? Would really love to watch all of that if they do. I keep wondering if my little Robin is going to just exit, and I'll never get a proper photo.

Edited in Lightroom. Admittedly, I don't know what I'm doing, but I did mess with lots of controls--especially the color tones as there was some purple that I think I was able to mute out in the feathers. I'm still having a problem trying to understand "reset" vs. trying to find an undo or back button. In time, I'm sure. I'm working on a big work report, so I'm lucky to even have this lunch break to get a photo in today.
Lovely photo of the little bird. Love the feathers on his head.
May 13th, 2013  
@kaarina365 Thanks Karin--it was so tiny too! It's funny how a zoom will make it appear larger than it really is.
May 13th, 2013  
Just lovely. He looks lovely and fluffed up. Very cute.
May 13th, 2013  
Jo
Fantastic Daryl, clever you for finding and for getting such a good shot. The undo key is control Z, or just go to your history column on the left hand side and go back to which ever move you would like to return to..... The back slash key is quite useful for seeing what the image looked like before you started editing, hope that helps!!
May 13th, 2013  
Great detail Daryl!
May 13th, 2013  
@jo13 Oh, thanks VERY much! It's those little things that drive me crazy. I like an undo button and a back button. Doesn't everyone? :)
May 13th, 2013  
Oh WOW, what a capture :-)
May 13th, 2013  
wonderful details captured in the eye! love this shot! superb!
May 13th, 2013  
haha love the random spikes, great find
May 14th, 2013  
May 14th, 2013  
where did my comment go? I love this.
May 14th, 2013  
The detail is stunning. Those downy feathers and stoic face. Well captured!
May 14th, 2013  
@judis I don't know! :) Thanks for the comment(s) though.
May 14th, 2013  
Sweet shot! Love it.
May 14th, 2013  
That's adorable!
May 14th, 2013  
Wonderful shot! How close you must have got to get this. The thought of you fighting your way into and out of the bush made me chortle!
May 14th, 2013  
I'm glad to hear you're playing in Lightroom! Don't have anything clever to add about the controls, Jo made it all very clear!
I like this shot, especially all the lovely tones in it!
May 14th, 2013  
Sweet shot!
May 14th, 2013  
this is so cute.
May 14th, 2013  
He does look at little muddled but still so cute
May 14th, 2013  
@steampowered I'm chuffed to make you chortle. Had to use the zoom as it had gotten slightly further up the bushes! :)
May 14th, 2013  
@lunaksi Thanks. Will be experimenting more when my work dies down. I can say I'm glad I'll be unemployed for part of the summer--not usually the case, but I need rest. :)
May 14th, 2013  
Superb shot, love his spiky feathers. Great work.
May 14th, 2013  
You are now officially BW (Bird Woman).
May 15th, 2013  
Wonderful capture! Can't believe how close you are! The details in his fluffy feathers are amazing.
May 15th, 2013  
Gorgeous shot! Love the detail and fluffy textures
May 15th, 2013  
Very sweet capture - can't wait to see a shot of the baby robin! : )
May 16th, 2013  
Such a sweet capture, love the details.
May 16th, 2013  
@writingdays @shunter @pflaume @colie @rennes @hudamor Thanks very much all and Lisa, oh, the robin left me before I could get a proper shot. I saw him just before fleeing, but he was well-camouflaged in the bushes where they set up the nest. Kudos to the parents for hiding him well!
May 17th, 2013  
Cracking shot Daryl
May 18th, 2013  
Superb shot. FAV.
May 20th, 2013  
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