Pink Robin - Petroica rodinogaster
YES, it's real and yes, it really is that pink.
An uncommon sight on mainland Australia as pink robins are usually seen in Tasmania. These birds prefer dark wet places as ironic as that is for such a flamboyant bird.
In the Snowy Mountains we also have flame robins, scarlet robins, rose robins, yellow robins, and hooded robins which are black and white. Each one of these birds is beautiful and cheeky but none more so than the pink robin.
This particular bird is the only one I've ever seen in the snow and I was truly lucky to spot it. Thinking at first it was a flame robin I didn't pay it enough attention initially but took a reference photo just because I could.
On inspecting the image on my camera screen, I proceeded to swear out loud, drop and leave all my gear where it was and ran off after the pink ball of feathers that was now disappearing into the snowy bush.
These little birds are very fast, but they are also robins, and robins are creatures of habit. If a robin lands on a branch it will most likely do it again.
This theory is what I counted on and chose to concentrate on the best stick for the job, one that had been used twice in the last 20 minutes since I've been watching this little bird's movements.
I moved into the right spot making sure I was the correct distance not to scare the bird but still get the photo, and quietly waited. Another 20 minutes passed, and the robin had not returned to "my intended" stick I had set up on.
A small chirp and a whistle at my back caused me to slowly turn, the robin had been behind me, and seemed to be on an even better stick. A slow raising of the camera and somehow a photo of the prettiest robin out there came to be.
This was a classic instance of my favourite saying, "never assume, the animals will prove you wrong every time".
You can find more of Charles Davis' photos via his website or visit his gallery i at 185 Sharp St, Cooma, NSW.
www.charlesdavisphotography.com
Charles has a column in each edition of the Snowy Mountains Magazine where he gives an insight as to how he captures individual photos. You can read past online editions of the magazine here.
