Redwings formation berry eating team

I've been lucky enough to have a small mixed flock of northern Thrushes in my garden for the last few days working their way through any tree, bush or shrub still bearing berries and also feasting on the apples, pears and grapes I've been putting out for them.

They're mostly Redwings (8-10) with about 4 or 5 Fieldfares plus up to 8 Blackbirds and a solitary Song Thrush.

I've taken loads of photos - mainly the usual portraits and shots of single birds with berries in their beaks, etc but also a few group photos, fight sequences and other novelty shots with the birds in unusual positions.

Here's one example, not really for critique but it made me laugh so I thought you folks might like it too - any advance on 3 berry bearing Redwings or Fieldfares?

I saw them in my garden a couple of days ago, for the very 1st time. About 10 or so, very hungry too! nice shot of some lovely birds.
Regards,
Paul.

Hi Jeff
An amazing image !!!
Just seems too good to be true.
Most of the Redwings I,ve done will not allow a competitor within 10 foot !
Gtreat stuff.
JohnR
BTW The shedule 1 only applies to individual sites per species per year does it not ?

Thanks Paul

And thanks to you too John - "Just seems too good to be true" - this is a genuine image John with no digital jiggerypokery.
"Most of the Redwings I,ve done will not allow a competitor within 10 foot !" - I've got lots of shots with 6 or 7 Redwings, Fieldfares and Blackbirds all feeding peacefully together within about a 4 foot length of branch - they must be a friendlier bunch down here
"The shedule 1 only applies to individual sites per species per year does it not ?" - yes it does John and I've recently renewed all 3 licences for the coming nesting season

beautiful, just beautiful.

Edwin Kats

Fantastic image and so nice to see them trying to work out who's got the biggest berry!!Really comical but a stunning image.

I like it made me chuckle when I saw it. It has a nice colour palette too.

How did you stop them unhooking the berry heads when they plucked a berry off?

Many thanks for the further comments
"How did you stop them unhooking the berry heads when they plucked a berry off?" - I didn't Nick - some of them fell on the ground where the rest of the gang eat them

Fantastic shot.

Well spotted & captured. Greedy buggers aren't they

Steve

Very neatly done Jeff, excellent timing.
Eric

A class image Jeff - magic - I'm sure this has good commercial prospects too

Such synchronicity, quite remarkable .
A sterling image .

We may not be having a waxwing year, but looking at all the shots being posted at present, we are certainly having a winter thrush year. Nicely composed, this would make a great greetings card.

David

awesome is all there is to say

Brillant composition and really wonderful to see, also it has that 'comic' free to it which is brillant Top shot Jeff

Fantastic! You could never get that to happen again in a million years so well done on grabbing the moment.

A cracker.

How brilliant is that Jeff. A magical moment.

Major.

ditto all of the above Jeff. A great shot.

Matt

Jeff this is berry berry berry good

A superb once in a lifetime image.

Fran

Nice one Jeff

Brilliant shot. Great timing, and a super composition.

Lovely image, I really like the background as it suits the birds well.


liam.

Fantastic Jeff, a well taken chance in a million.
Robert.

Some people are happy just to get one - show off
A smashing image - very jealous

I think it's all been said

Many thanks for all the comments folks - much appreciated and glad so many of you seem to like it. I'll try to post a few more Redwing & Fieldfare group/'oddball' pose shots over the next few days

Like the fact it brought a smile to my lips.

Cheers,
Chris

Jeff

Well done to get that shot. Glad to see you finally got some time with the 7D!

Andy

Cheers Chris and Andy

Amazing shot!