I haven’t seen an American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) for quite some time, so I was happy when I spotted this one last Friday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The vegetation was mostly dried-out, but the goldfinch had no problem finding lots of little seeds. I love the way that the dull colors of the goldfinch were a match for those of the seed heads that surrounded the little bird.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
He blends right in there, Mike. Great photo.
Thanks, Dan. The goldfinch was also moving in and out of the shadows, so it was quite a challenge to be able to get a shot.
You’re a patient man.
Don’t tell anyone, Dan, but patience is the secret to most of my success as a wildlife photographer. 🙂
This is a beautiful image. The yellow of the goldfinch definitely punches through the composition but I like the way that a shade of yellow is also present in the surrounding foliage that then leads the eye into the more neutral tones of the bird’s context.
Lovely, Mike!
Always fun to photograph Goldfinches! Very nice!