I always enjoy your pictures and words. Have gotten a little behind in my reading while taking vacation with my family, but nice to have a bounty to enjoy.
Long hikes or short rambles, all are relished with you in the boots (or bare foot) my friend...
I have the thistles, my attempts to eradicate them from my garden were an utter failure but still no Goldfinches arrive... I am living yours vicariously with unbound pleasure!
I suspect that many of the American Goldfinches I sometimes get to hang with, and the Lessers too, would sense your kind heart clearly enough in the first moments to simply go on about their business with no great temptation to fly away, dear Susie.
Not sure what sort of thistles you have in your garden. 'Round here we have 'good thistles,' (natives), and 'bad thistles,' prickly, aggressive, non-native bullies that have not learned to be a part of a community, and can quickly overwhelm. Good or bad, the Goldfinches seem to see the best in all of them and put them to work helping line nests and feed the babies. So much lore surrounding thistles in ancient Celtic stories and so many appearances in artwork. Wonder if there are such tales within your region's lore?
I adore you, my friend. Thank you for making time and space...
We delight in your delight, puffs of fluffy signals, that catch the lightest breeze and give away the position of these beautiful sunlight birds, so that you might capture them in your camera and share them with us 💛✨
Lots of places, out and about in your area, maybe along the Yakima River or... You should be able to find some wild-growing native thistles that you could dig a few of the littlest ones of on BLM land, etc. Wouldn't hurt the native stand in the least, but could get you a few little ones to take and plant in your butterfly garden.
Seems like time for another walk one of these days, though I understand any reluctance to come south across our newly cruel border. Might have to come walk with you...
I’m with on both your incredible long and short posts! The little Lessers are so much more than their name! The work you do to bring us the gorgeous photos as well as your insight and calm, but riveting writing settles me. I’m grateful.
They are very much linked to one another, to the point that Goldfinches are among the last songbirds to begin to nest because they are waiting for the thistle down to line their nests with, and the seeds to feed their littles. I love all the strange little connections that make more and more sense over time.
Gaia's creatures are wise and doing their best to stay in balance with the natural world. They could teach us humans if more of us humans watched and listened. Thank you for observing the creatures and sharing their wisdom.
I'd almost swear some days that they are reaching out, whispering in our ears and trying to help us become more attuned with the community of life. I've also noticed that they spend zero time shaming us or trying to rub our noses in the messes we have created, instead, simply living as beautifully as they are allowed.
Recording these encounters and showing them in their worlds is an attempt at partnership, really. We can join hands (wings) with them to help tell their stories.
I had flocks of American Goldfinches come to the feeder outside my kitchen window in Massachusetts. Now that I am in Utah, I rarely see one; rather, my guests are purple finches. I admire their red beauty, but I miss my gold ones. I didn't have the opportunity to see them out in the field, so your story gives me another side of their life. I appreciate your story, and you can write as often as you like. Your posts lift the heart.
Thank you, Mare. I'd miss the goldfinches too. But mercy me, I do love, love, love the song of a proud purple finch, announcing its presence and intentions with proper abandon.
Yes, the finch are special for me, too, as that is mostly what I see at the feeder. I get to watch the dominance hierarchies and those same birds that keep coming day after day through the winter and spring. It seems you have found the right places to go to observe and listen to all your birds, and you kindly take us with you, on many beautiful journeys just in the time I have been with you. Your patience and harmony with them amazes me. You get what you are willing to give in watching birds, I learn. Your watching them for your own peace and imagination also lets us who are limited to bird feeders, see more through your eyes. Our HOA wants to eliminate feeders because they attract rats. I had one rat last winter that chased the birds away from the seeds on the ground. I used the peppermint trick to chase the rat away. Will I rebel this winter and hang my feeder? Maybe so.
Love the goldfinchies thistledown smoke signals! Terrific photos!!
We purposely leave a few wild thistles in the side-yard & field in hopes of seeing the excited feeding activity---one of the few times we can get up close to those agile acrobats. American Goldfinches among purple blooms and white fluff = artist's dream... thanks for sharing the whimsy...
I love that you and Philly actively set yourselves up for Goldfinch adventures. It is such a gift to your aesthetic and wonderous selves. Perfect, really.
We know the truth, those Goldfinches know their complementary colors, choosing thistle especially when there is a bit of purple flower left ,highlights their feathers..“Don’t we look incredible next to purple petals, why yes, of course we do”.
Yes,Yes, Yes!!! Chicory blue and male Goldfinch yellow, be still my heart! I would love an entire wall mural with this gorgeous photograph. I propose a new hypothesis in bird linguistics, not only are they “Voguing” they are speaking/singing in universal bird song ,we humans have yet to understand. Psst🎶🎶 look over here, Now!🎶🎶yes you with the camera 🎶🎶🎶crawling through the thicket on your knees 🎶🎶. I do think this is a communication/ phenomenon that only occurs between like minded creatures, regardless of species. (and of course, a distinct part of your undeniable superpower, which I will be sure to include as an addendum, if I ever receive funding, human anomalies cannot be discounted and therefore may have a significant effect on the outcome of this research).
P.S. Whether you are sending up the signal fires or Thistle fluff riding the wind, you will always be welcomed, come in, have a seat, cup of tea, coffee, something stronger, a bowl of just picked blueberries ? ( if you show up right now).
Personally, I don’t think you need to worry about making your posts too long. I read along and never want them to end! Your photos and writing are sublime!
Such wonderment, joy, and wisdom you give me is the most welcome balm in a world that is upside down, but you are encouraging me to look at what is right and beautiful right in front of me and to continue to seek the quiet out.
As always, thank you.
Oh, you even inspired me to purchase my first birding binoculars! 🫶🏼
Oh, Vickie, I'm excited for you. Gifting yourself your first pair of binoculars is a fine, fine thing, the grown-up part of you caring for the childlike part and empowering her. Bravo!
May your eyes simply dance as your eyes acclimate and learn to scan the world through such wonder gatherers.
I always enjoy your pictures and words. Have gotten a little behind in my reading while taking vacation with my family, but nice to have a bounty to enjoy.
Long hikes or short rambles, all are relished with you in the boots (or bare foot) my friend...
I have the thistles, my attempts to eradicate them from my garden were an utter failure but still no Goldfinches arrive... I am living yours vicariously with unbound pleasure!
I suspect that many of the American Goldfinches I sometimes get to hang with, and the Lessers too, would sense your kind heart clearly enough in the first moments to simply go on about their business with no great temptation to fly away, dear Susie.
Not sure what sort of thistles you have in your garden. 'Round here we have 'good thistles,' (natives), and 'bad thistles,' prickly, aggressive, non-native bullies that have not learned to be a part of a community, and can quickly overwhelm. Good or bad, the Goldfinches seem to see the best in all of them and put them to work helping line nests and feed the babies. So much lore surrounding thistles in ancient Celtic stories and so many appearances in artwork. Wonder if there are such tales within your region's lore?
I adore you, my friend. Thank you for making time and space...
We delight in your delight, puffs of fluffy signals, that catch the lightest breeze and give away the position of these beautiful sunlight birds, so that you might capture them in your camera and share them with us 💛✨
You have inspired me to leave the volunteer thistles for the goldfinches.
Wow, my knowledge level has been delightfully enhanced David!!
Charming! We have them where I live, too, along with thistles! And ... I never find your posts tiring! You have my vote to keep 'em coming. :-)
Here in Western North Carolina, the goldfinches let the hummingbirds feed in the meadow early and then the charm shows up💛💫
I always have a few thistles go to seed (unplanned) and I must watch to see if our goldfinches do that here in Canada
I have been longing to incorporate wild thistle into our “bee & Butterfly” garden, but can’t find seeds….
Lots of places, out and about in your area, maybe along the Yakima River or... You should be able to find some wild-growing native thistles that you could dig a few of the littlest ones of on BLM land, etc. Wouldn't hurt the native stand in the least, but could get you a few little ones to take and plant in your butterfly garden.
We have enough milkweed now to donate to anyone in Eastern Washington 🤣….
Thank you David for sharing this beautiful vignette, and another window on the wonderful world of Mother Nature!
You are most welcome, my friend.
Seems like time for another walk one of these days, though I understand any reluctance to come south across our newly cruel border. Might have to come walk with you...
I’m with on both your incredible long and short posts! The little Lessers are so much more than their name! The work you do to bring us the gorgeous photos as well as your insight and calm, but riveting writing settles me. I’m grateful.
Thank you Terry.
It is a small candle, some days, but hopefully a bit of hope and light against the wall of darkness...
I know darkness, but the light of life is there in you and surrounding you with love and compassion. The wall is just mist and it will lift in time.
You are a beacon, a lighthouse.
Thank you, Terry.
No wonder I was seeing goldfinch in the same area with thistle. Thanks for making that connection for me.
They are very much linked to one another, to the point that Goldfinches are among the last songbirds to begin to nest because they are waiting for the thistle down to line their nests with, and the seeds to feed their littles. I love all the strange little connections that make more and more sense over time.
Gaia's creatures are wise and doing their best to stay in balance with the natural world. They could teach us humans if more of us humans watched and listened. Thank you for observing the creatures and sharing their wisdom.
I'd almost swear some days that they are reaching out, whispering in our ears and trying to help us become more attuned with the community of life. I've also noticed that they spend zero time shaming us or trying to rub our noses in the messes we have created, instead, simply living as beautifully as they are allowed.
Recording these encounters and showing them in their worlds is an attempt at partnership, really. We can join hands (wings) with them to help tell their stories.
I feel humble as a human because I realized that animals are more evolved than humans. They are my teachers.
Happy to come along.
For thistledown smoke signals of gold finches, any day!!!
💛
My kind of human. So glad we get to cross paths...
These are the kind of smoke signals I like to see!
Me too. See ya' out there in the thistle patch.
I had flocks of American Goldfinches come to the feeder outside my kitchen window in Massachusetts. Now that I am in Utah, I rarely see one; rather, my guests are purple finches. I admire their red beauty, but I miss my gold ones. I didn't have the opportunity to see them out in the field, so your story gives me another side of their life. I appreciate your story, and you can write as often as you like. Your posts lift the heart.
Thank you, Mare. I'd miss the goldfinches too. But mercy me, I do love, love, love the song of a proud purple finch, announcing its presence and intentions with proper abandon.
Yes, the finch are special for me, too, as that is mostly what I see at the feeder. I get to watch the dominance hierarchies and those same birds that keep coming day after day through the winter and spring. It seems you have found the right places to go to observe and listen to all your birds, and you kindly take us with you, on many beautiful journeys just in the time I have been with you. Your patience and harmony with them amazes me. You get what you are willing to give in watching birds, I learn. Your watching them for your own peace and imagination also lets us who are limited to bird feeders, see more through your eyes. Our HOA wants to eliminate feeders because they attract rats. I had one rat last winter that chased the birds away from the seeds on the ground. I used the peppermint trick to chase the rat away. Will I rebel this winter and hang my feeder? Maybe so.
Love the goldfinchies thistledown smoke signals! Terrific photos!!
We purposely leave a few wild thistles in the side-yard & field in hopes of seeing the excited feeding activity---one of the few times we can get up close to those agile acrobats. American Goldfinches among purple blooms and white fluff = artist's dream... thanks for sharing the whimsy...
Yellow and purple = artist's dream: I do so agree.
https://davideperry.substack.com/p/oh-please-please-please?utm_source=publication-search
I love that you and Philly actively set yourselves up for Goldfinch adventures. It is such a gift to your aesthetic and wonderous selves. Perfect, really.
Hey, that portrait is FANTASTIC! Sweeeet...wowzers!
Thought that might hit a responsive chord...
We know the truth, those Goldfinches know their complementary colors, choosing thistle especially when there is a bit of purple flower left ,highlights their feathers..“Don’t we look incredible next to purple petals, why yes, of course we do”.
Nature’s artists.
Hear, hear! You are so very correct. And absolutely pitch-perfect in your playful awareness.
Hmmmm, gotta figure out how to share an affirming picture here. Wish that was just a button-click option on Substack...
Ok, click here:
https://davideperry.substack.com/p/oh-please-please-please?utm_source=publication-search
Yes,Yes, Yes!!! Chicory blue and male Goldfinch yellow, be still my heart! I would love an entire wall mural with this gorgeous photograph. I propose a new hypothesis in bird linguistics, not only are they “Voguing” they are speaking/singing in universal bird song ,we humans have yet to understand. Psst🎶🎶 look over here, Now!🎶🎶yes you with the camera 🎶🎶🎶crawling through the thicket on your knees 🎶🎶. I do think this is a communication/ phenomenon that only occurs between like minded creatures, regardless of species. (and of course, a distinct part of your undeniable superpower, which I will be sure to include as an addendum, if I ever receive funding, human anomalies cannot be discounted and therefore may have a significant effect on the outcome of this research).
P.S. Whether you are sending up the signal fires or Thistle fluff riding the wind, you will always be welcomed, come in, have a seat, cup of tea, coffee, something stronger, a bowl of just picked blueberries ? ( if you show up right now).
Personally, I don’t think you need to worry about making your posts too long. I read along and never want them to end! Your photos and writing are sublime!
Such wonderment, joy, and wisdom you give me is the most welcome balm in a world that is upside down, but you are encouraging me to look at what is right and beautiful right in front of me and to continue to seek the quiet out.
As always, thank you.
Oh, you even inspired me to purchase my first birding binoculars! 🫶🏼
Oh, Vickie, I'm excited for you. Gifting yourself your first pair of binoculars is a fine, fine thing, the grown-up part of you caring for the childlike part and empowering her. Bravo!
May your eyes simply dance as your eyes acclimate and learn to scan the world through such wonder gatherers.
Aww..thank you! Looking forward to it!