The state bird of Iowa is the Eastern Goldfinch. I’ve seen quite a few of them this year. I was excited to look out the window and find one sitting on my front fence.
It wasn’t long before the bird left the fence for a delicious treat of catnip seeds.
Their favorite food, however, is thistle seed. Lucky for this one that the goats left a few.
I love these bright birds. I did learn that I really need to wash my front window if i want a clear picture too. Something about those cats’ nose prints on the glass that makes it fuzzy.
On a totally different topic, I’m going away. Yep, I’m actually taking a vacation. I should have posts going up regularly, but if you don’t hear from me, it’s because my Internet access will be limited to non-existent. I’ll try to catch up when I get back to visit everyone and read/respond to every comment that is left.
Linking to Jenny Matlock‘s Alphabe-Thursday where the letter of the week is G.
Linking to World Bird Wednesday and Rural Thursday hosted by Nancy at A Rural Journal and Lisa of Two Bears Farms
Teresa
Jul 04, 2012 @ 15:04:53
i love the goldfinch in the thistles. be safe. enjoy time away. i know all your animals will miss you.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 15:30:41
It will be hard leaving them, but I have good people here to help out.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 15:13:08
Sweet goldfinches! Love all your photo captures.
Blessings & Aloha!
Enjoy your travels!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 15:31:00
Thanks. It was nice to see one so close to the house.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 16:13:12
beautiful G! great shots
Jul 04, 2012 @ 16:22:05
Thanks. I really need to wash the cat nose prints off the window.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 16:20:51
They are so so pretty! I love their colors of yellow and black.
I bought some thistle seeds since I saw some flying over, but the sparrows ended up eating them all
Jul 04, 2012 @ 16:22:40
I’m sure they all like those thistle seeds. I’ve seen more goldfinches this summer than I usually do.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 17:05:33
Goldfinches are wonderful to watch – such funny, friendly birds. I hope you enjoy your time away!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 17:29:49
Thanks. I’m certain my vacation will be great. Just wish it would be a bit cooler so I didn’t have to worry about the animals while I’m gone.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 17:10:18
What a beautiful little bird this is. Great letter g post.
Have a wonderful vacation. You work so hard, you deserve to have a nice rest and relaxing time doing anything you want to do!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 17:30:25
Thanks. It will just be a short trip, but I do plan to enjoy it!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 17:23:46
Such beautiful captures – as always!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 17:30:32
Thank you so much.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 17:50:32
Goldfinches add so much beauty to the landscape.
Enjoy your vacation! You’ve certainly earned one!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 18:08:08
Thanks. It will certainly provide a much needed break.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 18:04:52
What a beautiful little bird! I hear ya’ on the “kitty noses” on the windows! LOL!!
Enjoy your vacation!!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 23:19:36
I figure I might as well wait until I get back from vacation to wash them.
No sense doing it any sooner than I have to.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 19:17:54
Nice shots of the American Goldfinch Teresa! I really like the last two shots of him in the thistle! My first time to your blog, I really like it.
We raise Pygmy Goats and I’m planning on renting them out sometime soon for land clearing. I’m working on a new blog on the Pygmy Goats at http://pygmygoatstogo.com/
Have a wonderful vacation and I know how you feel about leaving your goats behind. I’m sure they’ll be fine
Jul 04, 2012 @ 23:16:43
So glad you enjoyed your visit. I’ll try to stop by at your blog soon. Thanks for the well wishes. I wouldn’t worry near as much if it weren’t so blasted hot.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 20:10:51
My friend,
Simply beautiful pictures. Wish I could touch him/her. Thanks for sharing.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 23:17:00
Thanks. They really are beautiful birds.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 21:17:49
Enjoy your vacation!! Lovely pics of the goldfinch. I saw my first one in Portland, OR last year. They are so vivid!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 23:17:22
They truly are! I will certainly enjoy my vacation.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 21:35:09
Love those vibrant colored birds! Hope you have a great vacation!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 23:17:38
Thanks! I’m sure it will be a blast!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 21:38:54
Fuzzy windows or not, the pictures are beautiful. The one with the thistles had me thinking it was something I would like to sketch.
have a great trip!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 23:18:06
It really would make a great sketch or painting with the variety of color and texture.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 21:52:32
Aren’t they awesome? We have them, but ours seem a bit smaller and the beak isn’t as orange as yours. Have a SAFE trip and have loads of fun! I KNOW you will and I have requested photos…at least one.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 23:18:31
There are already teaser photos on Facebook. I might have to e-mail you.
Jul 04, 2012 @ 22:41:43
I love goldfinches! Great pictures!
Jul 04, 2012 @ 23:18:46
Thanks. They are such beautiful birds.
Jul 05, 2012 @ 01:52:21
I think the nose prints add beauty to the photos! Pretty bird!
Jul 05, 2012 @ 06:51:22
Maybe I should use it as a new texture!
Jul 05, 2012 @ 02:55:13
Hi there – what a great bird – such a splash of colour.
SM
Jul 05, 2012 @ 06:51:42
They really do brighten up the scenery!
Jul 05, 2012 @ 05:57:13
Enjoy your trip! I can’t believe how close you get to the birds!
Jul 05, 2012 @ 06:52:11
That’s the benefit of a dirty window (they don’t notice you). A good zoom lens also helps.
Jul 05, 2012 @ 08:40:43
One of my favorite birds that visits my yard all year long… they’re just alittle treat to hear & watch. Enjoy your vacation
Jul 05, 2012 @ 21:16:11
Thanks! I’m certainly going to have fun.
Jul 05, 2012 @ 15:20:35
prettiest — and cheeriest — thing in our backyard are the finches. great captures on your part.
Jul 05, 2012 @ 21:16:53
Thanks. They really do brighten the yard!
Jul 05, 2012 @ 15:33:18
beautiful bird to see out there; I love yellow-birds!! I think of canaries when I see one on here. Lovely for you to see it for real…
Jul 05, 2012 @ 21:17:16
It has been nice to see them this year.
Jul 05, 2012 @ 19:11:19
They’re such pretty birds! They like my echinacea.
Have a wonderful trip!
Jul 05, 2012 @ 21:17:38
Thanks. I was surprised how well s/he liked the catnip.
Jul 06, 2012 @ 00:20:52
Beautiful! A yellow bird amid purple flowers is such a delightful combo
Jul 06, 2012 @ 06:01:18
It really is the perfect combination!
Jul 06, 2012 @ 10:28:34
I love it when the finches come to our feeder! They are sooo sweet. Your photos are wonderful.
Jul 09, 2012 @ 20:10:45
It’s really been a treat to see so many this year.
Jul 06, 2012 @ 20:28:16
Pretty–I especially like the ones with the thistle plant. Enjoy your vacation!
Jul 09, 2012 @ 20:12:46
I do love seeing them out in the pasture!
Jul 07, 2012 @ 00:15:46
Beautiful birds. Enjoy your vacation!!
Jul 09, 2012 @ 20:14:46
Thanks so much. It has been wonderful!
Jul 07, 2012 @ 07:38:37
I love these bright birds — such a treat to see them!
Enjoy your well-deserved time off, Teresa — Thank you for sharing at Rural Thursdays this week. xo
Jul 09, 2012 @ 20:15:55
My pleasure. I certainly am enjoying my time away, but it will nice to be back to see all my critters and catch up with everyone.
Jul 07, 2012 @ 09:13:16
State bird – its got me thinking what my county bird should be? we dont have official county birds here in the UK…. its a good idea though.
Jul 09, 2012 @ 20:16:26
I think we have a state everything~bird, flower, tree, rock…
Jul 13, 2012 @ 16:37:52
What glorious pictures!
I have always thought grandly colored birds!
So vibrant and lovely!
Thank you for sharing these pictures.
A+
Jul 13, 2012 @ 17:39:48
It’s always my pleasure to join you for Alphabe-Thursday!