The postman always pecks twice!I was going to just use Robin for the the title, but then I realised a lot of you wouldn't recognize this bird. Having seen an American Robin on several of your posts, you can see the two birds differ greatly. The British Robin is easily identifiable by the red flash, therefore, not surprisingly they are also alternatively called Robin Redbreast. A common winter garden visitor with a beautiful birdsong too and one of Britain's most enduring symbols of Christmas and here's why.
In Victorian times postmen who delivered Christmas cards wore bright red uniforms, and were nicknamed "robin redbreasts" hence people associated receiving their Christmas cards with robins. Cute story. The Robin legend says it received that redbreast from trying to remove the thorns from Christ's head and a small drop falling onto his breast turning it red. More about the all Bobbin Robbins can be found if you click here. Talking of Christmas Cards...
Remember my partner the artist is designing our card this year? He did just that and found online printing who could rush a delivery through. Well they did just that, they arrived this morning and they look fantastic. So far so good. When they arrived here the box was open and sopping with water. The post lady explained they arrived in Ramsey like that. So somewhere on the island between the Ferry or Airport at Douglas to Ramsey Post Depot the box was mysteriously opened and got a soaking. Fortunately most of the cards are OK, but some have unfortunately been irrevocably damaged. You can just imagine how angry we are yes I will be pursuing this and I shall want an explanation and compensation from the perpetrator. Island life for you.
I was also hoping to use the Robin as my own Christmas card this year, but due to the fiasco above and my own usual printers letting me down, Bobbin Robbin will have to wait until New Year. I swear by the way that is a live one and not one who has had a trip to the taxidermist. He was just very, very still.
In Victorian times postmen who delivered Christmas cards wore bright red uniforms, and were nicknamed "robin redbreasts" hence people associated receiving their Christmas cards with robins. Cute story. The Robin legend says it received that redbreast from trying to remove the thorns from Christ's head and a small drop falling onto his breast turning it red. More about the all Bobbin Robbins can be found if you click here. Talking of Christmas Cards...
Remember my partner the artist is designing our card this year? He did just that and found online printing who could rush a delivery through. Well they did just that, they arrived this morning and they look fantastic. So far so good. When they arrived here the box was open and sopping with water. The post lady explained they arrived in Ramsey like that. So somewhere on the island between the Ferry or Airport at Douglas to Ramsey Post Depot the box was mysteriously opened and got a soaking. Fortunately most of the cards are OK, but some have unfortunately been irrevocably damaged. You can just imagine how angry we are yes I will be pursuing this and I shall want an explanation and compensation from the perpetrator. Island life for you.
I was also hoping to use the Robin as my own Christmas card this year, but due to the fiasco above and my own usual printers letting me down, Bobbin Robbin will have to wait until New Year. I swear by the way that is a live one and not one who has had a trip to the taxidermist. He was just very, very still.
What a wonderful photo of a beautiful little Robin! I'm so sorry your Christmas cards were damaged in the mail. We live in a very small rural town and we have experienced the same frustrations with our mail service. Thank you for the informative post - I thoroughly enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI love these birds - they are so intelligent and friendly. Great photo.
ReplyDeleteGreat post B.
ReplyDeleteBabooshka: What a neat post and story about the robin. I've seen enough European Robins to know them. They are a beautiful bird. It was a sad story about the cards and I'm glad most were okay.
ReplyDeleteOh such a CUTE bird!! I'd heard of this bird before but only because of a childrens book. The story is about little robin redbreast being forever happy and optimistic. He sang all day because he was so happy and drove the other animals mad! Sweet wee bird. Nice to see a real photo though.
ReplyDeleteI would never have thought this was a robin. They are indeed much different from the ones in my area. Nice story about the Robin Red Breast.
ReplyDeleteVery nice post. Interesting legend as to how it got it's redbreast.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by.
I love Robbins, they are such friendly, companionable birds. We have at least 5 verieties in Australia: The Rose,Pink, Scarlet, Red Cap, and the Flame Robin.
ReplyDeleteSorry fo hear about your card fiasco. You expect that sort of thing under a Soviet regime, but in Ramsey?
I am a fan of both the American Robin and what my Lancashire husband calls a "proper robin". On my first trip to the UK, a proper robin posed for me outside our room in Hay-on-Wye. That was quite a treat!
ReplyDeleteAwesome photo and great post ... too bad about the cards, you go get 'em!
ReplyDeletea classic winter symbol and a lovely photo! makes me feel festive!
ReplyDeleteTom Wiggers used to post these cute little guys. I think they are so cute compared to our American robins. This one posed so nicely for you!
ReplyDeleteSorry about your Christmas cards. The post lady should have already started investigating if that's how she found them. :)
I love the legends you related in your comments, and I lament the fact that some of your cards were damaged. Too bad!! Your robin is far more colourful than our robins!
ReplyDeleteYes, my first thought was that he was stuffed, but I guess you had him mesmerized.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my bridge today. Your green one from yesterday is something else!
I love the way you explain these facts. Nice shot!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is a great image! I like both your version of the robin and our American version--both are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'd heard the name Robin Redbreast many times but I don't think I've ever seen one before. Nice to finally put a face with the name.
ReplyDeleteAwwww!! I thought it was Tweety bird. MB
ReplyDeleteBeautiful bird and i love the story on them. What a shame about your cards sure hope you catch the perpetrator
ReplyDeletea beautiful picture of a beautiful bird!
ReplyDeletePicture Perfect! so lovely!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have robins in winter. Around here in Minnesota robins move south in winter, and are our first sign of spring when they return. I just love their mating songs at dusk.
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to have written this post - had all the info to hand but not the robin photograph - LOL!
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly the robin we know in the Netherlands. In New Zealand I saw quite another robin. I like the legend you told. Such a pity that your mail was spoiled by water. The robin is a perfect model1
ReplyDeleteo the ubiquitous robin - one year I think the first six Xmas cards we got all had robins on them.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you get some recompense for the damaged parcel.
Recompense? On the Isle of Man? Don't hold your breath. I'll bet Babooshka knows as well as I do they took the word accountability out of the Manx dictionary years ago.
ReplyDeleteLovely robin photo - they can pose beautifully when they want to.
ReplyDeleteThat's a real pain about the cards, I'd be furious too. This sort of thing costs MONEY!
Infuriating... and talking of infuriating, I am trying a dedicated Mono site once more with Linky.
ReplyDeleteI'll post on Loose Ends explaining.
Sorry to hear about your cards. PO are good a messing things up!
ReplyDeleteAll these viewers oohing and ahhing at the robin, if only they knew how violent they could be! Your guy has been fighting! Cute pic though.
Your are so right, what a tremendous difference in appearances there is between the American Robin and the English Robin! Both are so very beautiful. The American Robin belongs to the Thrush family and from your photo it seems like they are much larger than the English Robin also. A very sweet photo for Camera Critters.
ReplyDeleteYour yellow breasted birdie in the photo is adorable. So sorry to read about your wet delivery of your holiday cards. Glad to hear that most were okay though. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteThis is the cutest robin I have seen! Lovely shot!
ReplyDeleteYour robins are so much prettier than their American cousins!!
ReplyDeletePoor think got bird legs.
ReplyDeleteIt's just one thing after another eh Bab. Good photo. I've tried taking pictures of robins, but the move just as i have my finger on the button.
ReplyDeleteThat's life eh!
I never knew the postman story, but we do get Christmas cards with lovely wee robins on them! This photo is absolutely beautiful, and I love his pose: just right.
ReplyDeleteI never knew American robins were different than British robins.I learned something new today.And a very cute picture.
ReplyDeleteI never would have guessed that was a robin. Thanks for all the information! Have a wonderful Sunday! :)
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always super.
ReplyDeleteYour Robins are very cute and your pix of this one has perfect lighting. The Robin - Postal Delivery story is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays...
What nice (except for the postcards of course) and interesting reading!!
ReplyDeleteNice pic and interesting story about the robin redbreast. Sorry to hear about the cards. In light of current computer troubles it can seem overwelming. Keep talking it out. Apprciate your posts.
ReplyDeleteLet me guess. It was MY Christmas card that got wet and now I won't get one. Oh well, this cute little guy will suffice. You always teach me something when I drop by here, B.
ReplyDeleteV
This is a beautiful photo, and I enjoyed learning about your Robin.
ReplyDeleteI'm SO sorry to hear about your cards! I would be absolutely devastated and upset!
What a beautiful little bird! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVirginia - Your card is ready to be sent out.
ReplyDeleteVery seasonal. We have one of these little chaps where I work, hopping around the garden. I'm trying to get a photo but he is to quick for me! I'll keep on trying though. I want him for my christmas eve post!!
ReplyDeleteLovley Robin. Was just overhearing a woman the other day looking for a robin for Xmas. Not so many on things here this year. Hope you get the post problems resolved.
ReplyDeleteA very lovely red breast and very informative post to go along as usual.Thanks for dropping by my place.
ReplyDeletelove these kind of bird, cute and attractive..
ReplyDeleteThis one is very very cute!
ReplyDeleteThis little fellow filled me with joy! Aloha-
ReplyDeletebeautiful bird who stay you shot him
ReplyDeleteVery cheerful, even tho he is a bit tattered! Has he been in robin wars? they're such fierce fighters despite their cosy image.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful shot of Robin. Wow, Simply beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHe's a very cute little robin...I wish we had him here!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perky little robin. American robins migrate south for the winter (yes, even farther south than Tennessee), so they are the harbingers of spring when they return.
ReplyDeleteShame about your cards. Give 'em hell - it may not get you reimbursement, but you might at least feel better.
The US robin is actually a thrush if I am remembering correctly and was named by some settlers from England who thought that our robin looked like your robin...I am sorry about your cards...
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie!
ReplyDeleteDitto to Spacedlaw.
ReplyDeleteAnd it has a great quality.
I'm try to do this some times that the birds come to visit in our place. Well, It' snot that easy...
What a pretty bird! I wouldn't have thought it was a robin.
ReplyDelete