Monday, April 13, 2009

black and white and red and yellow!

The goldfinches are putting on their spring clothes!

This morning I saw a flurry or red and yellow in my "bird tree" and was treated to probably 10miinutes of shameless flirting between these two flickers. I was so hoping they would move out to the front of the tree, so there wouldn't be branches in front of them; but I guess they were being discreet.
That is the most wonderful tree - but it's getting so tall it might hide my big snag behind it soon....then the tree surgeon will have to come work on it a little. (I don't even know what it is, but I love it because all the birds love it.









27 comments:

Roses and Lilacs said...

The flickers at my house have been very elusive. I've never managed to get a good photo. I enjoyed seeing yours.
Marnie

Tami said...

Awww...love the picture of the Yellow Finch!! All your pictures are absolutely beautiful!

Hugs~T

Mary said...

Great to see the 2 Flickers together! That Goldfinch is adorable all puffed up :-)

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Very nice.The Flickers don't seem to mind being caught in their game.
It's good to see the Goldfinches getting brighter.
Blessings,Ruth

abb said...

Lovely! Flickers and gold finches are regular visitors here in CT. Your pics are great!

Sky said...

so glad to have found this blog. fabulous photos. those flickers are courting, alright! i saw plenty of mating air dancing during the few days of sunshine we had last week. always brings smiles.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Helen, I did a similar blog a few weeks ago--on two flickers.. I 'thought' at first they were flirting with each other---and then I found out that they were BOTH males. I think you have a similar situation. Two guys--probably fighting over a woman!!!! ha

The female Flickers don't have a black mustache ---and males do. I think--in your pictures (just like in mine), both birds have black mustaches.

Check it out and let me know what you think... If you want to see my blog (similar to yours)--it was titles "It's Not What I thought it Was." I did it on March 23.

Great pictures, Helen...
Hugs,
Betsy

Shelley said...

Your goldfinch is as cute as a little golden duckling! Fun to see the 2 flickers together!

Dave Coulter said...

Nice shots. The bark makes me wonder if that is that a cherry tree? :)

Jack and Joann said...

I like that line: "The finches are putting on their spring clothes."

P.S. Keep blogging even if you don't have time to leave comments on other blogs. Folks understand that we all get a little stressed at times with our hectic lives. Even in retirement there are times that I'm too busy to return comments but I still like to do a blog a day, if I can think of something to write about.

The rains today will make the grass really green.

Anonymous said...

Quite shameless those two Flickers!!, great shots though Helen.

Anonymous said...

The Flickers are one bird that I don't have here. I wish I did. Your photos are very nice. Well done.

Gobsmacks

jalynn01 said...

Ahhhh Spring love among the birds. Love to see it! You caught those Flickers in the courting act. How cute. And the birds sure are putting on the their Spring Clothes! Great post!

Arija said...

That golden ball seems a bit chilly the way he has fluffed out.
Nice shots.

Anonymous said...

Great photos. Our goldfinches are changing colors as well. So pretty! I love Flickers. They have such a distinctive flight pattern.

DeniseinVA said...

I haven't seen any flickers in my garden yet. The Goldfinch is certainly getting dressed up isn't he? Beautiful series of birds. Yes, most definitely keep blogging when you can. It's hard to keep up with other posts and we'll always be coming by to see what beautiful birds you've captured.

Debra Trean said...

our little birds are arriving in batches I love the little yellow finch that eat the black seed.... your bird images always inspire me.

NCmountainwoman said...

Ah...welcome sweet springtime!

Tina said...

Wow what a rare scene.. you are one lucky girl to have watched and heard these two..they are tough to capture on camera!!
Great post!

Ken Conger Photography said...

Great series. The goldfinch at home were just changing colors before I headed out. Blue Skies.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Helen: Those are beautiful shots of the flickes in the tree. I posted som fun birds today.

Stacey Olson said...

Great photos as always Helen. wonderful to see the blue birds again! I understand about visiting. Seems like I am always on the pc, but never make it to everyones sites. Just do the best I can. Our flickers look identical to yours but their tails have orange where yours have the yellow. the native americans called them "Yellow hammers" !

Chris said...

wo, the flickers are really colourful bird and looks like very big!! An amazing set of pictures. Congrats.

Unknown said...

Nice series, I m sure you had a wonderful time watching their antics.

John Theberge said...

Interesting photos. I put out a thistle feeder almost 2 months ago and I finally got some goldfinches last week. Now I just need to get a picture.

Eve said...

Hi Helen! I'm so far behind on my commenting! I went through Virgina on my way south and thought of you. It was the most beautiful drive down Interstate 81. The beautiful pink, purple and white trees took my breath away. Love your little goldfinch! I got to see a titmouse the other day and thing I have their "peter peter peter" down pat!!

2sweetnsaxy said...

These are great. Actually, the branches in this series make it seem more natural, like you're peeking in on them. I can almost hear them singing.