Every once in a while, I am really proud of one of my image “captures”…. unfortunately….. this isn’t one of my Quick-Draw-McGraw Moments.  It was a great shot of four Robins perched together.  You don’t see that very often… at all.   Unfortunately, with my camera, I am frequently a day late and a dollar short.  That is where photography is different from a lot of other mediums.  It is highly dependent on time (….unlike painting, or drawing).

But I like those red, red bobbin’ Robins, I’ll tell you. Nevertheless, they are quick and nimble travelers. They flew right off the handle. And then I snapped. Why, I do not know.

Tonight, I learned that the State Bird of Michigan is the Robin. The person who relayed this information (a Michiganite…. or is it Michiganian… Michiganoid… oh bother…..) ….the person was from Michigan. At any rate, they didn’t think it was a very good bird for the “Great Lake” State. They thought they should have a bird that stuck around all year long. Which one, I do not know.

As it turns out, the Robin is the birdish representative for Connecticut and Wisconsin as well.

In these parts, we are all quite familiar with the Cardinal. Seven states in all claim this mascot bird. Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Cardinal is the most popular bird for the aviary symbol. Most of the time, the male bird is depicted. Why? I do not know this either. In my opinion, the female Cardinal is much prettier.

I like the Cardinal well enough.. but it isn’t my favorite bird. I guess I am like that Michiganianiter.  If I could change Ohio’s bird…. I surely would.  My top three are The Roadrunner, Tweety Bird, and Foghorn Leghorn… in that order. I think Foghorn Leghorn would be a really good state bird for Ohio, despite his southern accent. You see….we have a lot of chickens in this neck of the woods.

Now that I think about it it… Daffy Duck would make a good bird for a lot of states.  So would the Loon.  And the Cuckoo… …. ….    This one, I DO know.    But I don’t want to ruffle any feathers… so I better keep my beak shut.

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In case you were wondering…. the Western Meadowlark gets finishes second in the Homecoming Queen Contest. Six states claim it: Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, and Wyoming. And the rest….

Baltimore Oriole – Maryland
Bluebird – Missouri
Bluebird – New York
Blue Hen Chicken – Delaware
Brown Thrasher – Georgia
Cactus Wren – Arizona
Common American Gull – Utah
California Valley Quail – California
Cardinal – Illinois
Cardinal – Indiana
Cardinal – Kentucky
Cardinal – North Carolina
Cardinal – Ohio
Cardinal – Virginia
Cardinal – West Virginia
Chickadee – Maine
Chickadee – Massachusetts
Common Loon – Minnesota
Eastern Brown Pelican – Louisiana
Eastern Goldfinch – Iowa
Eastern Goldfinch – New Jersey
Great Carolina Wren – South Carolina
Hermit Thrush – Vermont
Lark Bunting – Colorado
Mockingbird – Arkansas
Mockingbird – Florida
Mockingbird – Mississippi
Mockingbird – Tennessee
Mockingbird – Texas
Mountain Bluebird – Idaho
Mountain Bluebird – Nevada
Nene – Hawaii
Purple Finch – New Hampshire
Ring-necked Pheasant – South Dakota
Rhode Island Red – Rhode Island
Roadrunner – New Mexico
Robin – Connecticut
Robin – Michigan
Robin – Wisconsin
Ruffed Grouse – Pennsylvania
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher – Oklahoma
Western Meadowlark – Kansas
Western Meadowlark – Montana
Western Meadowlark – North Dakota
Western Meadowlark – Nebraska
Western Meadowlark – Oregon
Western Meadowlark – Wyoming
Willow Goldfinch – Washington
Willow Ptarmigan – Alaska
Yellowhammer – Alabama