Gotchya!
‘Goldfinch’ the new 007 movie starring Daniel Craig as me…
A couple of years ago I made an conscious decision to try and attract more wildlife into my garden. The idea appealed to me and ever since I have fed the visiting house sparrows, blackbirds and thrushes better than myself!
As nice as the aforementioned birds are they can be somewhat dull to look at, I began to think about more attractive species (typical man!) and those that would give a splash of colour to a dull morning.
Having discovered that parrots, albatrosses and eagles did not frequent this particular flight path I found that a regular supply of tiny niger seeds would attract goldfinches. Spending a small fortune on seeds and feeders I spent weeks looking out for said bird. Not a sign, they attracted the local pigeon population who desecrated my back lawn in my abscence and incurred my wrath when I saw them but that was it.
Then, last week as I waited with camera on tripod for another no-show the phone rang, it was my employer. As we chatted, well you can guess the rest, a goldfinch appeared from nowhere, posing on the feeder for dozens of missed photos. I was not pleased. Obviously it has never appeared since, until yesterday when I was washing up.
Of course I never had my camera set up so I had to photograph it hand held which is always harder with a large lens. Time wasn’t on my side and even more annoyingly I had to let the damm pigeons eat the blackbirds food lest I scared the goldfinch away.
Now you know why I photograph food and not wildlife.
Miles,
What bright spark named him a goldfinch…. he should have been called the red faced with a bit of black finch
Still, well done for getting that photo. A gold crest took up residence on my window frame recently and would tap away all day, at first I thought he was after insects but after a while I began to suspect he was looking at his own reflection… how vane… he was gorgeous though 
I noticed that the shops are still full of bird feeders, mostly seed mixtures. Perhaps I’m wrong but I thought that in spring we shouldn’t give seeds to the birds because of the chicks. I must ask the local wildlife people their advice.
Bird feeders have become hot designer property for the last couple of years and as long as they do their job, I’m all for it. As one of my friends visiting for the first time said… ‘this has got to be Cid’s pad, look at what’s dangling from the trees!’
Cid
April 24, 2008 @ 8:01 am
Miles
it’s a great photo.
Do you tink you have the patience for wildlife photography ?
It strikes me as potentially interminable, especially for someone with limited time.
Seeing the above results I can see the satisfaction must be considerable - but the waiting …
Regards
Rod
April 24, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Miles,
Good shot and well earned. The gold finches seem to be perching on many telephone wires at present and delighting us with their songs.
Cid,
with regard to feeding birds at present. We used to be of the same opinion that they should look to mother nature now. However, having listened to the RSPB on occasions they advocate for us to carry on to help them during the breeding season. Apparently, there is insufficient natural food about now with many cultivated or paved gardens. There are not many meadows now but at least the hedgerows and verges in the countryside have made a comeback.
Elsie
April 24, 2008 @ 10:05 am
Cid,
The Goldcrest sounds exotic, let me know about the bird feed please.
Miles
April 24, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
Rod,
Possibly not, upon reflection Landscape Photography might be the easier option
Miles
April 24, 2008 @ 3:16 pm
Elsie,
Then we should press on and help out. I shall investigate the recipes on offer here at the wildlife shop and report back.
I feel strangely drawn to the modernist lilly like bird feeders I’ve seen on line, sold in packs of three. In the winter they would look splendid when there’s no foliage… let’s hope the birds like them too.
Good news…. yesterday evening before dusk a little wren was spotted close to my lounge window. I know these birds are not colourful but I love them with their tiny pointy tails. I nearly always see one with a blackbird taking the berries from the pyracantha, partners in crime!
Cid
April 24, 2008 @ 6:24 pm
Miles,
I think the RSPB advises that we should feed birds in spring and summer, Elsie is quite right. Seems that sunflower seeds without husks, soaked sultanas and currants, various types of fruit, pinhead oatmeal and mealworms are the sort of thing. The organisation sells its own so I believe and they have a small shop here in town so I’ll check it out.
Cid
April 24, 2008 @ 6:42 pm
Cid,
Mealworm is my blackbird’s current menu choice, doubtless he will let me know when he tires of it
Miles
April 24, 2008 @ 9:24 pm
Miles,
I refuse to put anything wriggling in my feeders … obviously in my previous bird existence, I was more of your average humming variety seeking nectar
Cid
April 24, 2008 @ 10:22 pm
Cid,
Have no fear, they’re already dead!
Miles
April 25, 2008 @ 7:29 am