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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!
May 2, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Unknown said…
Beautiful shot!!!

Love the colours on the goldfinch...
May 2, 2009 at 10:31 AM
This Is My Blog - fishing guy said…
Adrienne: That is a neat look at the Goldfinch, I enjoy them always.
May 2, 2009 at 10:44 AM
MYM said…
Amazing photo! The birds here start singing at about 4:50 am every morning - you can almost set your clock by it!
May 2, 2009 at 2:55 PM
Sharon said…
Pretty bird...he'd be a great Mellow Yellow Monday entry!
May 2, 2009 at 3:40 PM
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!
May 2, 2009 at 4:27 PM
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!
May 2, 2009 at 5:25 PM
This Is My Blog - fishing guy said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
May 2, 2009 at 6:04 PM
This Is My Blog - fishing guy said…
Adrienne: I see deer in my area at least once a month. There is a herd of 10 or more that live here.
May 2, 2009 at 6:05 PM
i beati said…
haven't seen one in years Thanks Sandy
May 2, 2009 at 6:18 PM
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.
May 2, 2009 at 8:15 PM
Janie said…
Great goldfinch photo. We have lots of them here. They're already wearing their brighter colors.
May 2, 2009 at 9:35 PM
??? said…
Gorgeous bird and nice capture
May 3, 2009 at 3:11 AM
Jane Hards Photography said…
So different to our goldfinches. Beautiful capture.
May 3, 2009 at 4:04 AM
Indrani said…
Pretty little one!
May 3, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Shelley said…
Even in their molting stage - they are such pretty and cheery birds!
May 3, 2009 at 6:05 PM
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
May 3, 2009 at 7:54 PM
Deejbrown said…
We are also fortunate to see this tiny miracle every year! Great photo of this final claim to spring!
May 3, 2009 at 8:43 PM
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...
May 4, 2009 at 12:13 AM
Unknown said…
So very, very pretty! It is great that you get to observe their transformation! So fun!
May 6, 2009 at 9:50 PM
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