LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, May 11, 2009

Oh, Dem Golden Finches

The American Goldfinch is one of my favorite birds. It is not unusual at all, does not have the best song in the forest and people do not drive for miles to get a glimpse of one.

So what draws me to this bird? Well, it is colorful and beautiful for sure. It is the second bird I recall being able to identify when I was a small child. (The American Robin was first.) It may well be the most common bird around our house. It's a bird we can always count on finding at our feeders sometimes in large numbers.

Perhaps the thing I like best about the goldfinches is that they molt into their summer plummage long before it seems necessary. A harbinger of spring, the males turn bright yellow a couple of months before breeding season. It does a body good to see the birds change into their bright yellow garb.

























We have had rain on and off all last week. Our county is still listed as having below normal rainfall and still listed as a moderate drought area so we welcome the rain. It is quite scattered and there are times when I look out the back to see clouds and rain, and out the front to see the sun peeping through. The forecasts are almost always wrong, so we carry an umbrella with us all the time.

23 comments:

KB said...

I love the Goldfinches too! We very rarely have one visit our feeders - only a couple of times a year. So, we stop everything to watch when one arrives!

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Aren't Goldfinches cheerful? Especially on an overcast day.

Kerri Farley said...

One of my favorites too! Beautiful pics!!

Cedar ... said...

They are a favorite of mine, too. Their little squeaky chirp is so comforting to me. That 5th shot looks like the finch is saying.. "what ARE you doing?"

Dog_geek said...

Goldfinches one of my favorites, too, even though we are overrun with them at times. They are just fun to look at!

It seems like it has done nothing but rain here for the past month or two, but our county is still listed as "abnormally dry". I wish it would let up long enough to get our hay cut, though!

Anonymous said...

We are enjoying our finches at the thistle sock outside under the maple tree. I love their colorful presence!

Wendy said...

We've always seen goldfinches in our trees but they've never come to the feeder until this year. They're so pretty! I actually got a (somewhat blurry) picture of one with an indigo bunting at our feeder last week.

Rudee said...

He is such a handsome bird. If only my man gussied up ahead of time...

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

We had a bright male at our house this rainy morning that stood out like crazy against the green backdrop. They sure are gorgeous and definitely one of our favorites, too! Thanks for sharing so many fun pictures of them. :-)

Shelley said...

They do have such cute little expressive faces! Loved your photos!

Ziggy Stardust said...

Thanks for visiting I love your site, it is beautiful!

Anne

Sam said...

What beautiful birds! I know zilch about birds, but really enjoy your wonderful nature photography.

Anonymous said...

My favorite too! When their winter colors begin to change, it's like a reminder that the warm yellow sun of spring is just around the corner.

And I loved the post on the gals when they were youngsters - so cute. And the mystery bird!

robin andrea said...

Goldfinches were the first birds we actually noticed in our new yard when we moved to Washington. We were so happy to see them and glad to know they actually stay all year. Beautiful.

Valerie Cummings said...

they are just beautiful!!! Hugs Joey and Kealani

Ruth said...

Our lilacs are almost in bloom and the bright yellow goldfinches look spectacular in the branches. My artsy daughter told me to get a picture because purple and yellow are complementary colours. (Someday she will say it is because she likes birds!)

George said...

We love the goldfinches we have at our house, but I haven't gotten pictures nearly as good as yours. We were at Dupont State Forest Sunday, and appreciated the rain you got this past week -- the waterfalls were beautiful.

Carol Murdock said...

Carolyn..I think Goldfinches are my favorites! Great shots!

~ Carol ~

Rae said...

Beautiful photos. I love Goldfinches. I have about 4 cardinal pairs nesting with families throughout my yard. I have very colorful trees with the flashes of Goldfinches and Cardinals.

Anonymous said...

today peanut and I saw two of these lovly birds at our feeder...they kinda got territorial,lol:) Great Photo's!

NCmountainwoman said...

Thanks for your comments. I do agree that goldfinches make a lovely color and fit into almost any background.

Appalachian Lady said...

Great title for your post. I love the American Goldfinch too, especially when they are bright yellow this time of year. I feel fortunate to have them come to our feeders all year. Great photos.

Dawn Fine said...

Those are some Lovely photos. I love those golden sunshine birdies.