The other day I looked out the window at the bird feeders and noticed lots and lots of goldfinches.
They were in the trees and on the ground.
They were on every feeder, whether the feeder was filled with thistle, which is what they are supposed to eat, or sunflower hearts, which is generally for our other birds.
I was happily surprised to see that their yellow coloring is returning. Sure they are still pretty olive but there’s definitely a yellow tinge to them now.
Whatever their color, there sure were a lot of them hanging around.
If this keeps up I think I’m going to need another bird feeder. Or two.
I need to wade through knee deep snow to fill my feeders again. I love seeing the male goldfinches changing into their Sunday best for the season. They do a great job eating bugs in my veggie garden and also pecking at new seedlings. Fortunately the damage is usually minimal.
Goldfinches are such a fractious lot, they are always entertaining to watch.
I cannot wait to get the humming bird feeders going. We’ve had a couple of doves come and hang out at our feeder lately. I love their “serenade.” Your gold finch pictures are fantastic! I love the clarity in their detailed color variation contrasted against the snow. Nicely done, Carole!
Here in Middle Earth, the goldfinches are still drab, but I’m hoping they start changing soon. It is March! The juncos are still here and that means the north is still too cold for them to return. That’s ok. I love them.
My feeder looks like yours… I have a ton of redpolls too. They are little chowhounds. Spring is just around the corner.
Every once in awhile I hear the song of a house finch, but I haven’t seen their bright orange heads, as yet. Even a tinge of color must mean spring is close at hand!
During the past week I’ve had a lot of goldfinches at my feeders here in east-central IL. Their olive color is brightening and that makes me think of spring.
Lots and lots of finches! I think the birds are boycotting my feeder. I let it stay empty for a while. Oops!
Spring is on the way! Our neighbors have a finch feeder and we enjoy watching them all year round. Wonderful!
I always forget how much I miss the chirp and chatter of birds until it starts to come back in the spring. I woke up to bird song the other day, and just laid in bed a smiled.
I’ve got to get some seed and hang up my bird feeder! Great pics 🙂
Fantastic pictures! We have a bird feeder for the first time this year, and I love watching the action. We’ll have to take it down once the snow melts, though, so bears don’t think we’re giving them a treat!
How pretty! We get a few goldfinches, but mostly just house finches.
Got the tubular feeders out and also some of those lard blocks before the post-Christmas blizzard, and — nothing! The robins have been here all winter but have eschewed the feeders in favor of the adjacent frozen berries on the crab apple tree. All other birds have boycotted us, don’t know why.
You’ve inspired me. I’ll have to give my bird feeders some attention this weekend.
i am so jealous. What fun to have your own aviary of finches…..and outside for the poop issues
How fab!
Although, I was sort of hoping that you were hooked on that game, too. /sigh
So cute, we don’t get any of them in our yard.
Wheee!! If the gold finches are at your house they will be up here soon! Sadly we can’t have bird feeders this time of year…too much temptation for the bears who are waking up from their winter slumber.
I love goldfinches! We have a lot of coneflower in our yard, and they LOVE it. We’ve actually had them hang on the screen and peek in the windows at us. Probably my favorite of all birds. 🙂
I love to feed the birds but I cannot use that type of feeder because of squirrels. I have a feeder that squirrels cannot get into.
But my feeder is not for thistle feed. How do you keep your feeder squirrel free?
Every year I think I’ll get a bird feeder but never get around to it. I love that shot where you caught the bird flapping its wings…they are such adorable little birds!