American Goldfinch

 

 “In winter, you fed the birds; and in summer, do the same thing! In winter, you gave them bread; and in summer, give them water!” 

~Mehmet Murat ildan 

 

(Female American Goldfinch)

I saw some happy little American Goldfinch playing in a puddle the other day, and to tell you the truth, it's all I wanted to do for the remainder of that particular day. They were lovely. The male never left the female's side. He never strayed more then a foot or so away from her. And she spent most of her time, bathing in the cool water, and fluffing herself up. She was gorgeous, and clearly she was about to go out on the town with her love... Mr. Goldfinch. Imagine that, love is all around.

 

Planning, Timing And Luck

 

“I had the epiphany that laughter was light, and light was laughter,

 and that this was the secret of the universe.” 

~Donna Tartt,

  The Goldfinch

 

That's an a American Goldfinch I met at Yolo the other day. I knew that there would be some perching birds to be found, but I was a little surprised to see the goldfinch, because I have to date not seen one before the Spring. Of course I am basing that on the ones I have seen mostly along Desmond road, in Galt. I have only seen them once in across the street, in Louis Park, but never in the yard tree. Birding is definitely a science. It's not as easy as picking up a pair of binoculars and looking for birds. I use several apps to help me locate, and ID,  certain birds and even with those resources, there are no guarantees. There is only two more weeks to find the perchers left on my list, so I am going to have to do a lot of planning to reach my goal for the year of 170. 8 more birds to go. It won't be easy, but the positive part of Autumn crossing into Winter is that the skeleton trees make the perching birds so much easier to spot. Birding is part planning, part timing, and part luck, but sometimes I think sheer luck runs it all. 8 birds to go... with a little luck I think it is possible.

 

American Goldfinch And The Last Of The Little Daisies

 

“Or maybe spring is the season of love and fall the season of mad lust. Spring for flirting but fall for the untamed delicious wild thing.”
 

~Elizabeth Cohen,

  The Hypothetical Girl

 

The last of summer remains on Woodbridge road, as all the roadside daisies, and American Goldfinch have all but disappeared. Soon, the geese and Sandhill crane will be the main feature, but you shouldn't ignore the little perching birds. I expect the Cedar Waxwing will be here soon. There are little berries on trees and bushes everywhere just waiting for the them to swoop in and gobble them up. I love it in the Central Valley. The nature is wonderful. I can't believe I just said that, I love it here! Especially in autumn... well... autumn is the only time I am really happy.