We usually don't see American Goldfinches until spring, but nature is full of thoughtful gifts that you didn't even know you needed until just when you needed them most.
Sydney, These photos are so sweet and cheerful! I have not been feeding the birds this winter. I finally put a feeder out and so far I have had no takers. I also don't see any birds around in the yard and wonder if the neighborhood red-tailed has scared them off. Thanks so much for sharing these photographs, they made me smile and laugh!
Yay, Pamela, I'm so glad! These little goldfinches were such a nice surprise, really lifted my spirits. Wishing you busy feeders and a hawk who finds its snacks elsewhere 🤣
I’m amazed that all these little birds can manage so well in the wintry snow. That ability to puff up and retain sufficient body heat in that tiny little fluff ball just blows my mind. Thanks so much for sharing their photos and descriptions with us. Such a joyful start to my day. Hugs from afar. 🤗🤗
I am so often amazed by that, too. Those little bare feet! But, they are perfectly equipped for it all, and the fluffiness is extra-cute for us to get to see 🤣 Thanks for coming to hang out with me and my bird-friends!💕
Goldfinches are adorable! They visit here over the winter, though I haven't seen them in the last couple of years. Chickadees are here, and Carolina wrens. The wren song is a delight, such a melodic little whistle.
They sure are! Carolina Wrens do have such a lovely song - we've been just a little too far north for them, but we had one come to visit this year, so I am hopeful!
Such lovely writing! "Once they judge the danger has passed, they reappear in a cascade, a golden gauzy cloud draping themselves across all of the branches once more."
I don't think we have goldfinches here, but I felt like I was watching yours with you as I read this peice.
Thank you Sydney. It is hard to know what to love most...your amazing pictures, your poetic words, or the birds themselves. I decided to go with all three. So beautiful. I particularly loved this image..."goldfinches are more like all the neighborhood kids piling through the back door after a game of tag, brimming with bright energy, everyone, everywhere, all at once. They don’t mind sharing, they don’t have personal bubbles, the pecking order is not on obvious display". Thank you.🙏
Your articles are more than moments in nature - they are inspired and filled with excellent writing and wonderful photographs. Your work brings much joy to my senses.
I noticed the first European Goldfinches flying about just last weekend - it is the earliest I've seen them where I live in Switzerland.
Thank you so much, Jack, this is such an encouragement!
I do wonder if we'll keep noticing these early trends as warming brings range and timing adjustments...We'll just have to keep an eye on those birds and see what happens! 🤣
Nature is usually quite happy to give us all of the information we need to prepare for the immediate future…if we care to pay attention. At least, that’s been my experience…
So true. Since moving out to Maine and becoming more aware of seasons and wildlife behavior, we've learned so much about what to expect. Fascinating stuff.
I’ve been slightly disappointed this year as I haven’t seen a single Blue Jay (normally quite common here) but sparrows, chickadees, woodpeckers and cardinals galore so can’t really complain. The Goldfinches are adorable. 💛
Isn’t that funny how sometimes our familiar faces disappear for a while? We’ve been missing Gray Jays this winter :( I hope your Blue Jays are back in the neighborhood soon!
Sydney, These photos are so sweet and cheerful! I have not been feeding the birds this winter. I finally put a feeder out and so far I have had no takers. I also don't see any birds around in the yard and wonder if the neighborhood red-tailed has scared them off. Thanks so much for sharing these photographs, they made me smile and laugh!
Yay, Pamela, I'm so glad! These little goldfinches were such a nice surprise, really lifted my spirits. Wishing you busy feeders and a hawk who finds its snacks elsewhere 🤣
I’m amazed that all these little birds can manage so well in the wintry snow. That ability to puff up and retain sufficient body heat in that tiny little fluff ball just blows my mind. Thanks so much for sharing their photos and descriptions with us. Such a joyful start to my day. Hugs from afar. 🤗🤗
I am so often amazed by that, too. Those little bare feet! But, they are perfectly equipped for it all, and the fluffiness is extra-cute for us to get to see 🤣 Thanks for coming to hang out with me and my bird-friends!💕
What lovely gifts for the wintered heart. 🩵
“the wintered heart” - I like this phrase so much, Sara, thanks for sharing!
Goldfinches are adorable! They visit here over the winter, though I haven't seen them in the last couple of years. Chickadees are here, and Carolina wrens. The wren song is a delight, such a melodic little whistle.
They sure are! Carolina Wrens do have such a lovely song - we've been just a little too far north for them, but we had one come to visit this year, so I am hopeful!
Aw, love this all so much!!
Thanks so much, Lindsay!
Wonderful photos...I’ve also been seeing goldfinches at my feeders here in Western Pa! The chickadees still steal the show, though.😄
🤣Chickadees have some extra attitude about them, that’s for sure!
So lovely! 😊 Thank you!
Thank you, Jacqueline, thanks for stopping by to share this moment with me and my bird friends!🤣💕
Such lovely writing! "Once they judge the danger has passed, they reappear in a cascade, a golden gauzy cloud draping themselves across all of the branches once more."
I don't think we have goldfinches here, but I felt like I was watching yours with you as I read this peice.
Thanks so much, Sarah! It’s the best feeling, that my description could bring these sweeties to life for you 💛
Thank you Sydney. It is hard to know what to love most...your amazing pictures, your poetic words, or the birds themselves. I decided to go with all three. So beautiful. I particularly loved this image..."goldfinches are more like all the neighborhood kids piling through the back door after a game of tag, brimming with bright energy, everyone, everywhere, all at once. They don’t mind sharing, they don’t have personal bubbles, the pecking order is not on obvious display". Thank you.🙏
Thank you so much, Ian! The wild creatures are so inspiring 💕
Beautiful photos! ❤️
Thank you so much, Yolanda!
Your articles are more than moments in nature - they are inspired and filled with excellent writing and wonderful photographs. Your work brings much joy to my senses.
I noticed the first European Goldfinches flying about just last weekend - it is the earliest I've seen them where I live in Switzerland.
Thank you so much, Jack, this is such an encouragement!
I do wonder if we'll keep noticing these early trends as warming brings range and timing adjustments...We'll just have to keep an eye on those birds and see what happens! 🤣
Nature is usually quite happy to give us all of the information we need to prepare for the immediate future…if we care to pay attention. At least, that’s been my experience…
So true. Since moving out to Maine and becoming more aware of seasons and wildlife behavior, we've learned so much about what to expect. Fascinating stuff.
Those are all very happy looking finches. Beautiful photos!
Thanks, Aria! Such a great thing about nature, the little wild creatures are always just cheerfully doing their thing.
Sydney, You keep the best company. D
🤣I’m just lucky they let me hang around!
I’ve been slightly disappointed this year as I haven’t seen a single Blue Jay (normally quite common here) but sparrows, chickadees, woodpeckers and cardinals galore so can’t really complain. The Goldfinches are adorable. 💛
Isn’t that funny how sometimes our familiar faces disappear for a while? We’ve been missing Gray Jays this winter :( I hope your Blue Jays are back in the neighborhood soon!
Beautiful images Sydney! I really like that sequence of the Black-capped Chickadee - especially with the snowflakes remaining after they flew off!
Thanks so much, Neil! They’re so busy, you know, and it just really captured how often they’re gone in a flash just as I take the picture 🤣
" they reappear in a cascade, a golden gauzy cloud draping themselves across all of the branches" ~ That is just right and well said.
Thank you so much, Diane!💛