Farewell to the Finches

This male American Goldfinch rests for a moment before vying for space at a popular bird feeder in Lewisville, North Carolina.

Where Have They Gone?

It’s a lonely sight these days — the bird feeders that once were the focal points of so many famished goldfinches. Anywhere else, their constant chatter and all-out gluttony would have been fodder for endless gossip.

Now, the bird feeders just hang in a sort of sad silence. All that’s left are the memories of avian fellowship and, of course, the occasional feathered feud. (Remember Backyard Brawl?)

But then there was also the outrageous thistle seed expense. Unfortunately, no stimulus money whatsoever was allotted for goldfinches. For swine and rodent studies, yes. But none for the noble goldfinch. Not even a billion dollars.

What’s a Gal to Do?

Alas, the goldfinches’ departure has left such a void that I found myself digging through my goldfinch photos and staring longingly at them. In case you’ve missed the goldfinches, too, I thought I’d share a few more photos with you in the NEXT SECTION.

To our beloved goldfinches: May you flourish and be well-fed — wherever you are.
CLICK for a few more goldfinch photos

Backyard Brawl

Two American Goldfinches going at it in a Lewisville, North Carolina backyard.

Even in Paradise

Maybe one of them simply woke up in a “fowl” mood. Or maybe it was an off-the-cuff tweet. We’ll never know exactly what started the ruckus. Whatever the cause, the two Goldfinches were not backing down.

I saw it all with my very own eyes. It happened while I was visiting my mother and stepfather, whose backyard is a bird’s paradise. Yes sir, it’s food for life over there if you’ve got wings. It doesn’t matter what your tail feathers look like, or how long your beak is, or whether you claim Northern- or Southern-hemisphere allegiance.

You’d think that — being in such a backyard paradise — there would be no disharmony amongst our feathered friends. Then again, come to think of it, I recall there once was a paradise in which we humans also went astray.

Even in paradise, sometimes things just don’t go as expected!

More Horsin’ Around

The previous post, Horsin’ Around, did not mention the presence of a second horse in the pasture (the horse on the right). I soon perceived that the horse on the left was the Alpha horse — that is, the boss. But the horse on the right was not without some spunk of his own. If I had to assign some pretend dialog to this moment, it would go something like this:

Horse on the LEFT: Hey, man! I’m the pretty one here. Your ugly old mug is gonna break that camera!
Horse on the RIGHT: I refuse to dignify that remark.

Horse on the LEFT: Listen, I’m the best thing that ever happened to this old farm, and don’t you forget it!
Horse on the RIGHT: I tell you, if that lady wasn’t pointing a camera at us right now, I’d show your pretty little face a thing or two, Mr. Braggadocious!

Horse on the LEFT: Oh, lighten up, bro! You’re so serious!
Horse on the RIGHT: Serious! Your breath is what’s serious! (cough, cough) But I don’t know which is worse — your breath or that seriously toothy grin!

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Horsin’ Around

The plan was to jump out of my truck with camera in hand, photograph the horse peacefully grazing in the sunlit pasture, and then move on to the next inviting scene. Simple, right? Well, yes and no.

It’s actually the second time I’ve attempted such an equine mission and have failed to achieve my photographic goals. It doesn’t seem to matter how quiet and stealthy I am. One moment the horse is grazing in the middle of the pasture, seemingly oblivious to the world around him. The next instant, his ears prick up, and his head lifts in my direction. A human being! Immediately, he starts walking toward me.

As he moves my way, I resign myself to losing the shot I had envisioned — at least for today. Does he think I have food on me? Or does he simply want human companionship?

And then it becomes crystal clear what’s going through his mind. He sees my camera and wants to be sure I capture his best side!

OK, then, big fellow! Say “Cheese!”

Believe it or not, there’s more to this crazy story! Be sure to check out the fun follow-up article to this post, titled More Horsin’ Around.