An American Robin with Beetle in my Arkansas yard made a nice follow-up to yesterday’s bird drama. I had just written about a Northern Mockingbird stealing a beetle from a robin, but I did not get that robin photo.
This time, I did.
American Robin with Beetle Near My Deck
This robin was near the same area where the earlier encounter happened. I do not know if it was the same bird.
There was no drama this time. No Northern Mockingbird came in to steal the beetle. The robin was able to keep its meal and move on.
The bird showed the usual American Robin field marks. It had the rusty orange breast, dark head, broken white eye ring, and yellow bill. The beetle made the scene more interesting because it tied back to the earlier moment I missed.
This was in my yard here in Arkansas on April 11, 2026. Spring activity has picked up, and the robins have been working the ground for food.
A Calmer Robin Moment After the Mockingbird Encounter
Yesterday’s post was about a Northern Mockingbird stealing a beetle from an American Robin. You can read that story here: Northern Mockingbird Steals Beetle
That earlier robin did not put up much of a fight. It left the area after the Mockingbird took the beetle.
This photo felt like a small bit of balance. I finally had a robin with a beetle, and this one got to keep it.
I have seen the Northern Mockingbirds acting extra aggressive this year. They are nesting across the street, but they still spend time guarding this area. On this morning, though, the robin had a quiet moment.
Photographing This Backyard Bird from the Deck Rail
I photographed this robin from my deck. I had my camera supported on a beanbag draped over the deck rail.
That support helped at 800 mm. The robin was on the ground, so I kept my framing low enough to show the bird clearly without losing the yard setting.
The light was bright enough to give me good detail, but I still needed ISO 2500 at f/10. I used a little positive exposure compensation to keep the robin from looking too dark against the lighter ground.
Camera settings:
- Camera: Canon EOS R5 Mark II
- Lens: Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM
- Focal length: 800 mm
- Aperture: f/10
- Shutter speed: 1/800 second
- ISO: 2500
- Exposure compensation: +2/3
- Support: Beanbag draped over the deck rail
- Date and time: April 11, 2026, at 09:16 A.M.
This was a simple backyard photo, but it finished the story I missed the day before. Sometimes the second chance is quieter, and that works just fine.