We have goldfinches here all winter in their drab olive green plumage and usually before they move on we see a few mottled. I often see a hundred at a time in the winter on the feeders and on the ground below them where they hardly show with their dull coloring. They had mostly left to go north this week--there were maybe a dozen still hanging around. I even thought about taking down the nyger seed feeder and putting up a peanut one.
Yesterday it rained all day and we experienced a migratory phenomenon such as I have never seen here before. There were well over 300 goldfinches and most were nearly finished molting into their summer glory. I went a little overboard recording it all.
If you enlarge them you can even see the raindrops falling and the tiny drops of rain on their backs.
I almost hope it's raining where you are so this will brighten your day like it did mine!
They were very aggressive toward each other, guarding the best spots on the feeders.
Just a few dull olive stragglers here today. It was a very special happening for this bird lover!!
Oh WOW! Aren't they wonderful!?! They're so beautiful when they put on their summer clothing! I can only imagine all the wonderful sounds you heard! Great pictures, Bruce.
ReplyDeleteWow!...300?? I've never seen that many at once. What great shots of them everywhere. I do have rain right now and it does brighten my day to see all these lovely gold birds in such numbers...like raining beautiful flowers.
ReplyDeleteOMG! That is great! Better keep seeds on hand or you could be in trouble.. lol.. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteBruce, that's just what I needed today, something beautiful and bright. It's so rainy and cold here and your photos just gave me an extra burst of energy, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWhat an impressive number of goldfinches- we normally just see a few at a time, except in the fall, when large groups eat seeds of sweetgums or forage in the meadows.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a bright spot on a grey morning!
We saw the same thing at our place. Usually they are gone before they get so colorful. Thanks for capturing it.
ReplyDeleteYes, Bruce, it I brighten my day. We have the goldfinches year-round, I'm happy to say.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness!! What an amazing group of photos....and birds!! Looks like your new feeder is really making gold! Heh, heh.
ReplyDeleteGreat title for a series of great photos! I imagine that they are entertaining to watch. :)
ReplyDeleteGood grief!! 300!! What a sight that must have been. A lovely series of pictures Bruce. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour goldfinches are amazing but I want to see one of those painted buntings! I haven't seen one yet but the photos are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love goldfinches! I have about seven of them that still show up every day to my feeders. Great pics!!
ReplyDeleteAngie
We had a few out here, but no where near 300!
ReplyDeleteGreg II
Good morning All! I was out with the camera all day yesterday, so didn't get to respond to all the nice comments.
ReplyDeleteYes, SP, the goldfinch and chipping sparrow sounds are terrific, but I find they don't pick up on video very well unfortunately.
I'm glad the finches brightened your days, Mary, Stacey, Birdlady, and Aunt B. We don't usually have this many either, LKW, Angie, and Greg.
Nice of you to see the excitement I could see with all these birds too, Daniel, Joan, and Greg. Yes, Linda, the new feeders gave me a much better opportunity for photographs than the old arrangement would have.
I haven't seen a male painted bunting yet this season, Kathie, but they could be here any day now.
Thanks again everyone!
I love goldfinches! And even the chilly little ones here in Wintery Maine are showing their beautiful gold colors now. I guess that's proof that vernal light really does dictate reproductive change: they certainly aren't responding to warmer temperatures around here!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos of this cheery bird! I have my finch feeders refilled and am anxiously awaiting their yellow beauty!
ReplyDeleteShelley
Aren't they just glorious! So glad you kept the feeder up and that they graced you with such a feeding frenzy.
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice that people are still looking at my finches several days after the fact. For those of you still waiting for the brightly colored finches to appear, take heart in knowin that they will stay with you all summer. Most years we don't seem them bright like this at all!! Have your feeders ready, Kathryn, Shellmo, Rambles, and Jayne--they have nearly all left here so are on their way to you!
ReplyDeleteGood grief !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic.
You've done it again.