A Yellow Hint of Spring

I looked out the window yesterday morning and found evidence of progress toward spring. This male American goldfinch was feasting on sunflower seeds at my feeder and showing off brighter colors. The black on his wings and tail was richer and darker and he was sporting some bright yellow mixed in with his winter olive. Cornell lab says the American goldfinch changes from winter plumage to its bright golden breeding plumage through a complete molt of its feathers. It is the only finch in its family to have two complete molts, one in fall and another in spring.Even when my photos are blurred because of the window, I can't complain. The window makes a nice blind that allows me to get closer than I otherwise could. In this series of images I could see the goldfinch rolling the seed around in his mouth until it cracked open. He then flipped the shell out of his mouth. In one photo there was a shell flying through mid air behind him as though he had flipped it over his back. A goldfinch study. I will be watching for my subject's black cap to arrive right along with spring!

Linked to Bird Photography Weekly #22 at Birdfreak.com bringing awareness to the conservation of our world's birds.