Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Pine Siskin and Goldfinch

While the rest of East Tennessee was getting excited about snow I was getting excited about the birds in the backyard. As you can see from these photos, the snow was beginning to melt anyway.I knew as soon as this bird flew to the feeder it was one I had never seen.

Almost as quickly, I knew that it was a Pine Siskin.

Notice how they helped me see the differences between them.
It was like they were showing me on purpose.
I would like to say I was in my photographer's blind, but I was in the comfort of the house. I hung out at the bathroom window for longer than I want to admit. These were at our house in Rockwood. I knew Betsy was up on the mountain getting all excited about the snow, because if it was snowing in the valley below the Cumberland Plateau I knew it was snowing on the plateau, as she fondly calls it, the Glade.
I am off to a photography assignment job this morning, then to my real paying job this afternoon, so I hope the roads are clear.

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12 comments:

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Drive safe Leedra.
Sometimes I really do think that certain veiws of birds are special gifts just for me.

troutbirder said...

I think the little birds are adopting a bipartisan attitude. Right on!

Shelley said...

I love when similiar looking birds present opportunities like this! Was the siskin noisier as well too? Mine sure are!
Congrats on your snow - do you have 4 wheel drive?

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great pictures, Leedra. That is a great one--showing the differences in the Pine Siskin and the Goldfinch!!!! They posted very nicely didn't they???

Be careful out there today.. We'll stay home and relax. We got a little more snow this morning--but the sun is out now. The high today up here is only going to be in the mid-20's--so there won't be much snow-melting going on.

Hugs,
Betsy

George said...

I'm glad some of the pine siskins got down to you. We have a very large number of them up here and are glad to share.
Be careful on the roads.

SaraG said...

Great post and picures!!
Take care as you go about your busy day!!

Tina said...

Leedra,
Thanks for that post, Im always getting confused by the finches and the siskins! Your pictures really helped define the differences! Hope you had an ok day driving in the snow.

Rose said...

I do like how they showed you their differences...you couldn't have posed them any better.

Unknown said...

Looks like you have lots of bird friends through the winter. ;)

Dorothy said...

Leedra,
I'm glad to see your pictures of the Pine Siskin. I thought I had found one, but I didn't see any yellow on his sides. I've about decided it was a female Purple Finch. I may post it and see if any of you birders can identify it for me.

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

I'm glad to see that the Pine Siskin visited you.It is neat to see them with the Goldfich,similar,yet different.We havelots of Siskins around here,I love them.
Blessings,Ruth

Carletta said...

They sure were accommodating!

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