Camera Critters - Goldfinch

molting goldfinch photo by Adrienne in OHio


The goldfinches here are still in differing stages of molting resulting in a shabby look. Soon there will be no grayish feathers left, but all bright yellow. This one will also get a black mask. Some of his little friends have already grown nearly all their yellow feathers and have patchy black masks already. Soon they will be the most striking birds in the yard.

I feel blessed to have them here year-round so that I can witness this transition. Their molting seems to me an outward expression of the exuberance of spring. Out with the melancholy of drab winter, and in with the vibrance of summer sunshine!

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Comments

Snap said…
Good morning, Adrienne! Beautiful shot. If this little guy has relative who visit down here, I haven't seen them in the city. Thanks for the treat!
Unknown said…
Beautiful shot!!!

Love the colours on the goldfinch...
Adrienne: That is a neat look at the Goldfinch, I enjoy them always.
MYM said…
Amazing photo! The birds here start singing at about 4:50 am every morning - you can almost set your clock by it!
Sharon said…
Pretty bird...he'd be a great Mellow Yellow Monday entry!
Marie Reed said…
I'm feeling a litte shabby myself but don't get to use molting as an excuse! Darn! This is a stunning picture!
Shey said…
You're lucky for sure! Would love to photograph them through the said transition. He'd be looking fantastic when he has finished molting!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Adrienne: I see deer in my area at least once a month. There is a herd of 10 or more that live here.
i beati said…
haven't seen one in years Thanks Sandy
kayleen said…
They are such bright cheery little birds, even when they have molted. I especially love their undulating flight pattern.

Thanks for stopping by.
Janie said…
Great goldfinch photo. We have lots of them here. They're already wearing their brighter colors.
??? said…
Gorgeous bird and nice capture
So different to our goldfinches. Beautiful capture.
Indrani said…
Pretty little one!
Shelley said…
Even in their molting stage - they are such pretty and cheery birds!
Carol said…
I enjoyed watching the Indigo Buntings and Painted Buntings go thru a molt..my neighbor has Goldfinches during the winter but they leave before they reach the rich yellow and black. I'm only a couple of miles away but they havnt come here yet.

www.wildlifearoundus.blogspot.com
Deejbrown said…
We are also fortunate to see this tiny miracle every year! Great photo of this final claim to spring!
Kelly said…
...I just saw you on Kim's site, The Curious Birder, and noticed you were an Ohio blogger so I stopped by. We also still have a few stragglers down here in Cincy, but most of ours have almost finished their molt. Lovely blog you have!! The Cormorant colony is very cool...
Unknown said…
So very, very pretty! It is great that you get to observe their transformation! So fun!

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