I am right in the middle of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Tomorrow I will spend most of the day photographing and observing birds - but if the weather is good and a little warm, I have promised a grand-daughter a fishing trip.
The last two days I have set up my blind in the backyard to take pictures out of. The American Goldfinch can be difficult to get close to, but a blind usually solves the problem.
American Goldfinch are one of the few birds that molt most of their feathers twice each year. Here is one that has started getting its summer plumage even though it is cold.
There is always a lot of fighting around the niger sack when they meet to feed.
Here some also battle the larger Housefinch over the sunflower seed feeder.
My favorite picture of the day is a goldfinch artistically leaving the feed sack in a style good enough for the Olympics.
Just another enjoyable wild day in Idaho.