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Thursday, December 27, 2012

The finch convention

After four December frosts, the garden looks very brown and still, post-Christmas. That is, the plants are brown and still. There is still plenty of color and motion and sound here because the finches have arrived!

Actually, the American Goldfinches have been here for several weeks but they haven't been coming to the feeders in any great numbers until this week. And, finally, this week the Pine Siskins showed up, too, and now I have a convention of finches at the feeders. A confinchion, you might say.

I got a new lens for my camera for Christmas and I'm eager to practice with it, so even though it was cold and a bit drizzly today, I did go out and try to record some of the action at the feeders. These are goldfinches with one lone striped siskin hanging upside down on the left.

On the platform feeder, most of the finches were Pine Siskins.

The finches really like the sunflower seed hearts. They seem to spend more time at this feeder than they do at the thistle socks that I hung just for them.

When the Blue Jay flew in for his snack, all the little birds scattered. But they didn't go far and as soon as he left, they were back again.

I didn't stay out very long because it wasn't particularly pleasant and conditions were not really good for photography. Maybe I can practice some more tomorrow.

On days like this, inseparable companions Beau and Bella have the best idea. Find a warm spot such as your favorite footstool in front of the fireplace and curl up for a nap.

8 comments:

  1. No finches here ... shucks! Just my usual doves, robins, jays. Lots of noise coming from the house behind me -- remodeling inside and out ... that doesn't help!

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    1. Oh, my goodness! It sounds like the noise you are experiencing is not of a really pleasant kind. That could definitely be discouraging the finches, but they are definitely here and in increasing numbers.

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  2. A confinchion - Ha, Ha! Great pictures!

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    1. I think I stole that from someone, but I can't remember who. It certainly seems to describe what is happening in my yard these days.

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  3. Lovely photos, especially the one with the Blue Jay. I must admit I gave up feeding the birds a long time ago, the squirrels took it all and made such a mess of it. I have been thinking of getting some new bird feeders, squirrel proof ones, and start agin, so I also can get some lovely bird photos :-)

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    1. I have squirrel baffles on my feeder systems, Helene, and since we installed them, I've had no problems at all with squirrels stealing the food. And I have LOTS of squirrels in my neighborhood! I also put up a squirrel feeder where I give them peanuts and corn, but, actually, the birds steal most of it!

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  4. Oh, how wonderful. I love goldfinches. I had fewer than normal this year.

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    1. That's probably because they are all coming to my yard, Jason!

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