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.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Very nice Mike! Always fun to photograph Goldfinches!
Thanks, Reed. With insects mostly gone, I am focusing a lot on birds, including the little ones like the goldfinches and bluebirds.
Great shots, Mike.
Thanks, Dan. The goldfinches, like most birds, are not as brightly colorful as they were during breeding season, but are still quite beautiful.
Beautiful. Great shots. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Patricia. Goldfinches are pretty common where I live, but I loves featuring them, along with other common birds like cardinals , wrens, and sparrows.
Beautiful. How about kingfishers? By the way you inspired me to write a mythical dragonfly poem to go in my collection.
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.
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.
I am so enjoying your birds!
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.
So cute!
Nature indeed has that ability—Glory to God!
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Amen 🙂
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…
Scruffy? Who’s scruffy-looking’?
🙂