I once did a stupid thing. At about 12:30 I set off on what I thought was a 3 hour walk. It was not but a 3 mile walk and I finished it in less than an hour. So I saw another colour of walk (in a forest) that I thought was supposed to be 9 miles (it included the 3 mile route just finished). So I thought i had just enough time. It was actually a 9 hour route!! Being midwinter not a wise option. But I was fit and pretty much blitzed most of it and as it was going to dusk I was on the homewards run through forestry works areas with diversions.
Diversion signs were poorly places and and I kept going wrong. Then I turned to a chirping noise that seemed to keep following me for the last 15 minutes when I was getting lost an having to retrace my steps. I turned and told it to eff off. That was when I smiled and saw a robin. What I smiled at was the this way diversion sign. I then finished the walk by listening out for the chirping Robin sat on the diversion sign. My little guardian bird that was as the diversion was extensive and poorly signposted. However that Robin or several of them all sat on the posts to attract my attention to the sign.
I know that it was not looking after me but sat on a convenient post and issuing a warning or territorial call but part of me to this day does not want to believe in reality on this and think that my guardian spirit is a Robin. We have one in the garden and it is friendly too. Won't come up to feed off your hand like I have seen Robins at Skelwith Bridge picnic tables but it is still a friendly bird to see in the garden.
BTGW to them in the garden (possibly woods) we are just a strange boar turning up the soil to expose bugs for food or disturbing insects from the undergrowth as we walk. We are fulfilling the role of big forest animals in the feeding habits of Robins, but we still see the character of them coming out in the interaction. Our little garden friends. Our interpretation and reality can both be the truth, right???
Sorry for the long ramble. It was basically to say I have an affinity to Robins. And Ravens but that is another couple of slightly shorter tales behind that raven affinity. I will save your from those stories.
