Redwings and a Fieldfare

[Mick Harris]

The first shot shows a Fieldfare and a smaller (out of focus) Redwing in the foreground, both mopping up the spillages from the Crab Apple tree. The second shows a Redwing in the almost harvested tree.
Canon 7D, 400 mm 5.6L with support.

20120213-IMG_2691 A Fieldfeare and a Redwing in the foreground by Mick Harris, on Flickr

20120213-IMG_2636 Redwing by Mick Harris, on Flickr

[tomvandenbrandt]

Very nice too see the difference in size at the first picture, nice shots Mick.

Regards, Tom

[Ely Teehankee]

Nice captures of both birds. Just wondering if the crab apple is edible to human beings. Don't worry I won't compete with them for the fruits. LOL. Well done Mick & Mabuhay.

[Mick Harris]

Hi Ely. Crab apples are related to wild/native apples but have been bred for use as decorative garden plants for their wonderful blossom in Spring and for the attractive fruit which can stay on the trees for months in a mild winter. They have a very sour taste but can be used to make jam/jelly (with lots of sugar during cooking) to spread on bread etc., so are not toxic like ivy berries but would give you a real belly-ache I think if eaten raw. They seem to be an emergency source of food for the birds in hard weather.
I don't think your habit of sampling the fruits you see birds eating is likely to do you much harm if it's just a taste you have rather than a three course meal!!

Happy sampling,

regards'

Mick.

[Ely Teehankee]

Very interest fruit especially that it gives the birds some nourishment. You are right I just taste the fruit to know the taste. But sometimes when it tasted good I like to eat more it but back off in consideration that it is food that could mean the survival of the birds. Thank you for describing the characteristic of the Crab Apple, now that I know I don't have to taste it anymore. Cheers.