Goldfinch in November

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Goldfinch in November

November 5, 2020 by Mike Powell

I was happy to spot this somewhat scruffy looking American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) as I wandered the trails at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge yesterday seeking a respite from election news coverage. As is often the case, nature served as a soothing balm to calm my anxieties and reestablish my internal balance.

Posted in Autumn, Birds, Nature, Photography, wildlife | Tagged American Goldfinch, Canon 50D, goldfinch, Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Spinus tristis, Tamron 150-600mm, Woodbridge VA | 17 Comments

17 Responses

on November 5, 2020 at 9:43 am | Reply Reed Andariese

Very nice Mike! Always fun to photograph Goldfinches!
- on November 6, 2020 at 8:45 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Reed. With insects mostly gone, I am focusing a lot on birds, including the little ones like the goldfinches and bluebirds.
on November 5, 2020 at 10:31 am | Reply Dan Antion

Great shots, Mike.
- on November 6, 2020 at 8:44 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Dan. The goldfinches, like most birds, are not as brightly colorful as they were during breeding season, but are still quite beautiful.
on November 5, 2020 at 11:27 am | Reply Patricia M Osborne

Beautiful. Great shots. Thank you for sharing.
- on November 6, 2020 at 8:41 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Patricia. Goldfinches are pretty common where I live, but I loves featuring them, along with other common birds like cardinals , wrens, and sparrows.
  - on November 6, 2020 at 9:39 am Patricia M Osborne
    
    Beautiful. How about kingfishers? By the way you inspired me to write a mythical dragonfly poem to go in my collection.
  - on November 6, 2020 at 10:59 am Mike Powell
    
    I see Belted Kingfishers from time to time, but I have to go to very specific locations to find them. Even then, kingfishers tend to be very elusive and fast and tough for me to photograph. I think it is super cool that you are writing a mystical dragonfly poem–you know how much I like dragonflies and on the whole find them to be magical.
  - on November 6, 2020 at 3:42 pm Patricia M Osborne
    
    I’ve only ever seen a kingfisher once, no idea about whether Belted or not. Apparently I am told there is one seen regularly at my local lake but I haven’t been lucky enough.
    
    I do indeed and your pictures were so inspiring that I had to write the poem.
    
    Have a great weekend.
on November 5, 2020 at 2:41 pm | Reply lulu

I am so enjoying your birds!
- on November 6, 2020 at 8:46 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Thanks, Lulu. During the warm months I tend to focus on butterflies and dragonflies, but as the weather gets colder, I switch to birds mostly. I am happy to hear that you are enjoying the birds.
on November 5, 2020 at 7:11 pm | Reply joyroses13

So cute!
on November 6, 2020 at 6:33 am | Reply mitzybricker

Nature indeed has that ability—Glory to God!

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- on November 6, 2020 at 8:12 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  Amen 🙂
on November 6, 2020 at 5:12 pm | Reply nliakos

Scruffy is right! And totally in agreement about getting away from the election coverage in the park. 🙂 But now I’m going back to CNN…
on November 7, 2020 at 2:36 am | Reply krikitarts

Scruffy? Who’s scruffy-looking’?
- on November 7, 2020 at 7:17 am | Reply Mike Powell
  
  🙂