Yesterday morning I got up to six inches of snow and the birds were having a hard time finding a perch. Each time they tried to land, the snow would give way and down they would come, birdy, snow and all. Finally there were enough bare branches for them to gain some footing. Here a male Housefinch is able to perch close to my blind.
A male Lesser Goldfinch is a bright spot in a snow-covered world.
As the day progressed a blizzard blew in and over a hundred birds, American Goldfinch, Lesser Goldfinch, House Sparrows, flickers, Downy Woodpeckers, Pine Siskins, Eurasian Collared Doves, Starlings, Sharp-shinned hawks and these Housefinch all came to eat. They emptied my feeders twice and the hawks harvested a few of the munchers.
A great day to observe nature in the Wilds of Idaho.
14 comments:
Beautiful shots, Bill! The male house finches are pretty birds. And I love your lesser goldfinch, it is a gorgeous color.
Winter is a special time, and I know I might need a referral to a psychiatrist when I say it, but I really do love it. Your post is so interesting, and really validates my fascination with every season.
Stunning colours and great shots. And it's great for them to find an All-You-Can-Eat buffet out there in the wilds of Idaho!!
Except for the goldfinch and a bit less snow this could be my backyard. The cardinals really stand out here.
Beautiful pictures Bill! The birds are fortunate you are there to provide -- but they pay you back beautifully.
I like these snowbirds better than the ones here in Florida (even if I am one ;>)
Have I mentioned to you about the meme called Wild Bird Wednesday? Your pictures would be so perfect for it. And fellow birders and bird lovers would be so grateful. I'll try to look it up and see if I can link it in another comment.
Oh wow these is pretty cool. Love to see this tiny creatures because they make me happy.
I think these are great images and fun to learn from your writings. I had never heard these called House Finches before. We have them as well and I adore watching them sometimes feed a seed to each other. Take care~
very nice images from the count
dan
Bill. that goldfinch in the snow shot is a real gem. Great Christmas card material.
Are you doing some ice fishing while your lake is frozen? You can come and join me on the Moonta Bay jetty for snook, flathead, squid, whiting, garfish and mullet as well as some tommy roughs which a kind of small herring. Just give me some warming, it takes half a day to get there from the farm.
...enjoyed this post. I can envision the birds flopping around trying to get a foothold on the snow-covered branches! The male Lesser Goldfinch is incredibly striking. I've never seen one...he certainly doesn't loose his yellow in winter like his cousin does!
Wow that snow, I'm fed up with it all...and in much need of some spring...like your birdies.
Great shots.
D.
You have done your Idaho birds proud with these joyous shots.
Tough to watch bird eat bird.
doesn't seem righ somehow.
But what a day for you, so many feathered visitors. I envy you.
The birds were lucky to find your feeder. And I guess the hawks were lucky to find some unlucky munchers.
I do love birds in snow - great photos, Bill!
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