LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Finches Still Yellow

The color change of the Goldfinches is one of my favorite indications of the changing seasons. When we lived in Wisconsin, I welcomed the spring change, but hated to see the bright yellow begin to fade in the fall. That meant another long gray winter was approaching. Now that we are in NC with sunshine most days even during the winter, I don't mind the color changes at all.

Our Goldfinches have not yet begun to get their winter plumage. This little guy was particularly bright. He sat on the top of the hook as if he were playing "King of the Hill," daring anyone else to try to take his place.



He flew down to the little birdbath we have mounted over the deck railing. Here he prepares to take a bath.


This year I actually look forward to the winter plumage of the birds and the fall migration. While we definitely have cold winter weather, it is nothing like the gray and bitter cold of WI. I think my Seasonal Affective Disorder has been cured by our wonderful mountain winters. And the lovely birds that will winter with us here.

8 comments:

Dog_geek said...

Lovely photos, as usual. Our finches are still bright yellow, too, but I guess it is about time to start thinking about getting the thistle seed out. We have hundreds of giant sunflowers and oodles of rudbekia that are still only half eaten, so I haven't been in much of a hurry.

The Birdlady said...

Oh, I definitely couldn't do those winters....What part of me the cold didn't get, the dark would! And the goldfinches are gorgeous!

Jayne said...

Our goldfinches are just starting to reappear here too Carolyn. And, like yours, are still in their yellow splendor. Last winter, I must have had 150 at a time eating at my feeders. A sea of olive green!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Carolyn: Beautiful photos of the pretty American Goldfinch. They are so colorful.

Shelley said...

Your goldfinches look 10 times prettier than mine right now!

Mary said...

I'm looking forward to winter, too. Ours have been so mild and I'm accustomed to harsh freezes. I wish to have once good snow storm this year in Charlotte. Fat chance.

NCmountainwoman said...

Dog geek - Giant sunflowers should do the trick.

Helen - The darkness almost did me in. Driving to work in the dark, driving home in the dark...now just a memory.

Jayne - I love the Gold Finches in green dress as well.

Fishing guy - They are really bright this year.

Shelley - worse days are ahead for our finches as they molt and change.

Mary - Not too much chance for snow in Charlotte, but it has happened. They don't have a clue what to do with it, so if it snows there stay home.

Kerri Farley said...

He is beautiful! I'm looking forward to fall also!!