Well...not exactly new! But I was getting weary of the black background on the blog, figured that 4 years of black is enough! Let's brighten things up a bit and help those of you that find reading white letters against black annoying!
Male American Goldfinch beginning its molt into breeding plumage
photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison
(Click on image for a larger view)
We've really been enjoying the Goldfinches in the yard this winter. We get around 40-50 birds every year, which makes us happy!
Now that spring has arrived, we're getting more and more types of birds from their winter homes, now headed north, but the Goldfinches still stick around all year long here.
One thing that is fun watching for is the Goldfinch molt. We get to watch all the males really change into their spring/summer/fall finery, and it's taking place right now! The image above is of the same male Goldfinch, just starting to put on the brilliant yellow feathers...little patches here and there. None of our neighborhood birds has made the complete transition yet...I suspect that will take another week or more (?), but there is one male I noticed that has really made some progress with it's molt (see image below).
This male American Goldfinch is coming along real fast with its molt...seen here working on a sunflower seed.
photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison
(Click on image for a larger view)
The ladies molt too, of course, but their plumage is much duller in color...kind of an olive hint when they've changed; nothing near the yellow gold of the males.
This female American Goldfinch is not going to be the brilliant "stand-out" that it's male counterpart will be.
photograph - © Bruce A. Morrison
(Click on image for a larger view)
But "brilliant" or not, the Goldfinches are great having around the prairie pasture and yard all year long!
Just a quick mention of the Studio Newsletter! Our 3rd issue went out this week and I just wanted to thank those subscribers that have sent great comments our way! Also I do want to mention that if you subscribed but have yet to receive any issues - it is possible you may need to subscribe again...we had a small number get kicked back because the e-mail addresses were incorrect. Please resubscribe and watch your addresses for any typo mistakes. You can do so at this link - NEWSLETTER!
Thank you!
Enjoy the birds this spring!!!
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