Thursday, March 22, 2012

Scruffy Chic...the must-have spring wardrobe choice for happenin' male goldfinches...

Yet another sign of spring--from the changing of the guard to the changing of the wardrobe...

Male American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) everywhere have started undergoing their spring molts.
Before you know it Scruffy Chic will be out of style and Sleek Yellow will be in!




17 comments:

Carol Mattingly said...

Love these images Kelly. Carol

Bob Bushell said...

It has eyes for you, brilliant photos.

Roy said...

What do you mean Scruffy, I'm just colour co-ordinated with the buds on the bush. {:)

TexWisGirl said...

they really are cute in their half/and/half... :)

Gillian Olson said...

Great pictures, they are pretty cute with their blotchy coats.

Kelly said...

Carol...thanks!

Bob...thank you! :-)

Roy...haha! Then you're right in style.

Tex... :-) they are!

Gillian...I like their blotchy coats too. It's always so exciting to see them just starting to change!

rachelle vance photography said...

beautiful photography!

Banjo52 said...

This was a real awakening to me when I first started backyard birding a few years ago. I got alarmed, figured they had some dread disease--and would I catch it, like avian flu?

Have you seen a blue jay in early adolescence? Holy molt!

Roy said...

Heh, heh! Scruffy is right. Ours are still pretty much Winter-colored.

Elaine said...

Love the scruffy chic! Pretty soon he will be strutting his new wardrobe for all the ladies. And look at those leaves ready to burst out--I am so envious! We're supposed to be getting more snow by tomorrow night.....

Janice K said...

Oh, so pretty. I love this time of year when the leaves are just coming out but it is still easy to see the birds in the trees!

Montanagirl said...

Love these shots! Have not seen any Goldfinches in our yard yet this spring. I see those pesky Grackles are back though!

Cuby said...

What lovely photos today. Delightful little bird.

Kelly said...

...thanks, everyone. Now that I'm back I can catch up with everyone's blog. I've fallen so far behind, and I know there are lots of cool things going on out there! It is amazing watching the transformation these goldfinch go through--twice a year no less! It must take a lot of energy to create new feathers for a complete molt, but I'm glad they do it. It's so beautiful to watch!

Cheryl said...

I love your outlook on this. And your photos are great!

Mary said...

So good to see them turning color! Great shots!

KaHolly said...

I enjoy watching the goldfinches change each year. Like the leaves on the trees in springtime, you see them begin the process, then all of a sudden, they are rich in color.