I told you about a month and a half ago about a little yellow bird that I was chasing. It turned out to be an American Goldfinch. I didn't get the kind of picture I hoped of this bird, but the chase had been exciting. Well the bird is back, and so is the chase!I said bird, but there were really more than one, a lot more. I was at the same place where I saw the bird the last time, near the dam at the back of the park, and I saw another one zoom through the air right past me. Then something strange happened!
Another one followed the first one! And then another and another! They went right over to the weeds next to the dam. I just knew I was going to get my picture. I walked as stealthily as I could over to where I saw them land. They saw me immediately and they all flew away. I ended up with nothing!
After I realized they weren't coming back I dejectedly walked towards the meadow area, and away from my chance of getting my picture of this goldfinch. I hoped because there were so many of these birds that I would have another chance next time, but I knew it was over for now.Then as I arrived at my destination and turned the corner something magical happened. On a small branch up in a very close tree I saw another goldfinch sitting there waiting for me! I was quick with the camera this time, so I got several shots before it flew away. Not the best but good for now.
Even more important was the fact that I had seen where the bird flew off to this time. I thought maybe I was going to get another chance at it. The bird flew very near a fallen tree at the edge of the meadow, and I thought I could see it on one of the branches. I quickly made my way over.
As soon as I got there it flew away. But then I looked at the branches of the dead tree again and saw yet another one of these birds perched there. This one appeared to be a little different than the other one though. It didn't have that characteristic black cap! What was going on here?It turns out that this new bird may be a female. Only the male has the black cap, and this one definitely did not. So not only did I get another photo of an American Goldfinch, I also got both a male and a female. I'd say that's a pretty good adventure for one day.
Hi Ratty, great post today. I do like the American Goldfinches- they are pretty stunning. Did you see my picture of the European Goldfinch?
ReplyDeletehttp://dslr-images.blogspot.com/2009/06/visitors-to-my-garden.html
They are so different. I know how good you must have felt when you got your pictures, I felt the same with my finches!
Sorry- the pic i mention is my boyfriend's not mine! Credit where credit's due i guess!
ReplyDeleteTo take good pictures of birds is very difficult for a amateur like us. So I can understand how happy you are once managed to get a few of them.
ReplyDeleteWhat a thrill to capture these Goldfinches in pictures, Ratty! And yes, you did have another great adventure..
ReplyDeleteI love goldfinch. I used to have a feeder in my back yard but it got to the point where the black birds were hanging out so much the goldfinch wouldn't come around any more. Great shots, maybe next time you'll be able to get closer.
ReplyDeleteYou did great Ratty! They are the prettiest birds!!
ReplyDeleteGeesh, come to my house--I have like a batwillion of these chirpy buds here. I can't keep them in food these days! You will find them on coneflowers, black-eyed susans, and thistle. They turn brown in the winter when they are not breeding--FYI.
ReplyDeleteI know Exactly how you feel - chasing a subject, hoping for a good shot. you did great.
ReplyDeletegreat post!
the birds are beautiful ratty! great job on capturing them.
ReplyDeleteBemused - Yeah, I saw it. Your European Goldfinch is a very colorful bird. I liked it a lot the very first time I saw it. Your boyfriend took a great picture.
ReplyDelete-
Rainfield - You're exactly right. Birds are hard to capture on camera for people like us who are always moving. We have to use stealth to get even bad shots.
-
Icy BC - It has indeed been a great thrill. I love chasing those little flashes of yellow through the meadow.
-
Ann - I'd love to be able to have a feeder, but there is too much neighborly interference where I live. I don't think your blackbirds would chase away this big flock though.
-
Ginnymo - They're some of my favorites. I've loved them ever since I saw the first one.
-
Lin - The meadow where I see them is full of black-eyed susans and thistle. They are constantly landing on them, but it's hard to get pictures when they are in the middle of all of that stuff. :)
-
DNLee - Yes exactly. It's the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of capturing it on film that is the best.
-
PJ - I love these yellow birds. I never knew they existed until about a year ago.
Very nice, I like Goldfinch. We have some by my office that like the purple coneflowers and one was letting me get really close. Too bad I didn't have my camera.
ReplyDeleteRatty I could tell from your post what a great time you had getting those pictures.. Good job
ReplyDeleteHi Ratty without a big lens bird photograph can be difficult! I went out yesterday to try and get some but every time I was ready they flew away. So having the zoom with me didn't help!
ReplyDeleteFrom a distance the bird looks similar to the UK Goldfinch-but perhaps more colourful.
sometimes, even not catching the birds with our camera, just seeing them happily enjoying their environment is already such a sight, and your story is again another happy one, maybe the wildlife is accommodating you very well knowing you will promote for their safety welfare :) and with you, they are safe.
ReplyDeleteI think they are starting to gather up for their flight south. Good catch on camera!
ReplyDeleteI love opportunities like this. They only present themselves once in a while, so thank goodness you always have your camera.
ReplyDeleteAhh.. wish can see the Goldfinch clearer, really not easy to capture birds photo. Great job Ratty.
ReplyDeletehey ratty.. thanks for coming to my blog..
ReplyDeletethat bird, it's beautiful right with yellow in color..
I love to watch birds fly in the middle of the higher air :)
DK Miller - There are plenty of those in this meadow. They seem to love this place.
ReplyDelete-
Joe Todd - I really did have fun. I love chasing these birds.
-
Mike - You're right, it is very difficult. My camera is not at all suited for getting these bird pictures, but I get lucky sometimes. I've seen a picture of a UK goldfinch, both kinds are beautiful birds.
-
Betchai - Yeah, it's fun to just get to see them, even without getting any pictures. They seem to be out in bunches at times, and not at all at other times.
-
The Retired One - I think they are too. I'm beginning to see other birds flying in groups getting ready to migrate.
-
Dr. Lauren - It is sheer luck when I get any of these shots. I'm glad I keep my camera ready too.
-
VanillaSeven - I'd like a better look at one of these goldfinches too. One of these times we'll get to see it.
-
Fyzal - I love the yellow colored birds. I like watching them while they're flying too.