Robin  

(Erithacus rubecula)

The Robin is consistently voted to be the UK's favourite bird - with its bright red breast it is familar throughout the year and especially at Christmas! Males and females look identical, and young birds have no red breast and are spotted with golden brown. Robins sing nearly all year round and despite their cute appearance, they are aggressively territorial and are quick to drive away intruders.

This top image is a composite of two photographs each showing one bird. I merged the two together on separate layers and used the eraser tool to show the lower through the top layer, I then blurred the Blue Tit to make it more realistic. 

The middle image shows a rather disheveled Robin after it has enjoyed a summer 'dust bath'. Although not a great looking specimen the image shows an interesting side to its character and really shows off the fine feathers of the bird.   

The bottom image was taken close by  a garden feeder in winter. The bird always looked for a suitable perch to land on before closing in on the feeder, it was then simply a case of waiting.

Top and middle image - Pentax *ist D Sigma 70 - 300mm lens.