This past Sunday, I was enjoying a morning pee like I do each and every morning. The head was still a bit groggy and I was still coming out of my morning stupor. But just like that, I let out a screech heard throughout the house as if I were a tween who just saw the cast of Twilight walk through the backyard. The kids ran for cover behind the couch and my wife was ready to hit 911 on the phone. Why the screech you ask?
Was it from an odd burning sensation down below? Nope, all systems a go there.
Did I spot a burglar breaking into the house? Nope, I am too intimidating for them to even think about it.
My very feminine yelp was due to what I spotted through the window:
Yep, that is what life has become in my household. After composing myself, I quickly grabbed the camera and starting snapping shots through the bathroom window. I couldn’t have been more excited to see what I assumed was a goldfinch (remember I am a true amateur in this arena) and I had to have proof of it’s existence.
I then needed to do my research to learn more. That is what I love about writing this blog. It has opened my eyes to so much more and it inspires me to go out and soak all the information in; that and I don’t want to embarrass myself in front of you all. Here’s what I learned:
- The American Goldfinch is the state bird of New Jersey, Iowa and Washington.
- Can be identified through it’s short conical bill and short notched tail.
- The male is a vibrant yellow in summer.
- The breeding season is in late July when food is at it’s peak supply. It is also when when the male is at it’s bright color. Now I know why my wife made me wear a yellow parka all the time.
- The American Goldfinch enjoys the consumption of seedheads (like the Purple Coneflower in the photos) and is agile enough to hang on while consuming the seeds.
- Unlike most men, the male is monogamous and produces one brood per year.
- Prefers open meadow areas.
Now I know many of you know a lot of this already and I know the American Goldfinch is a commonly sighted bird, but for me it just shows how much of an influence this blog and the readers have on me. The desire for information and learning more outside of my comfort zone.
I can’t state enough positives about the experience of blogging and interacting with the readers. I don’t share my appreciation nearly as much as I should, but the amount of information that is shared in the comments section is absolutely incredible. I have learned so much from you all and it sure beats having to google for the information all the time. Never in a million years did I anticipate this level of interaction, and for that I am forever indebted to you all (that may have been a bit dramatic but you get the point).
Thank you
ONG
I don’t think I’ve ever sighted a goldfinch, whilst in the loo or otherwise. One recent and unusual sighting of a little yellow bird: Wilson’s warbler hanging out with the chickadees.
Birding is great fun: beware you don’t become addicted!
Christine in Alaska
If I hear a screech coming out of the bathroom, I just assume Chuck caught his dick in his zipper. Glad you screamed for a more pleasant reason O_O
I love goldfinches. They’re only down here in the winter and spring though, from what I know about them. They’re really beautiful.
Dear ONG, What heartening news it is to my ears that the sight of a cheery Goldfinch can bring a grown man to his knees. I was beginning to think that insensitivity was globally endemic, but you are living proof that a love of Nature is alive and well in New Jersey if nowhere else!!
Thank you so much for signing up as my latest ‘Follower’. I hope that you will find things of interest.
I have yet to see a gold finch at my thistle seed feeder. A couple have sat in one of our trees a bit but they don’t stay.
We have a pair of these that come to my kitchen window feeder just above my Blazing Stars and Coneflowers. I’ve seen the male perched sideways on the Blazing Star…they’re an added bonus aren’t they? I got laugh from your Tween/Twilight reference – thanks!
You never cease to amaze me with your candid posts, and apparently now some of your respondents as well.. lol…
Ha! Loved the title! Almost had an incident with my drink while reading it! That would so be me, taking pictures through the bathroom window. Such a beautiful bird!
Great shot of a beautiful bird. Be certain it was there to appreciate the hard work you put into your garden.
We’ve had a lot of goldfinches in our yard this year – I think there’s several living in the huge bush in our field – but the first I saw was last summer. I didn’t screech, but I did gasp a little. That bright yellow is a beautiful sight.
The finches in our yard love my new bird bath this year. They’re always using it.
Since you were brave enuogh to admit the sighting at the “real” time…while doing the same, the bathroom window happens to look over my garden and I am always looking. I also get giddy and goofy at such seemingly small things (to other people)!!! I grow sunflowers just so I can watch the Goldfinches. I also love August for all the birds that come to the birdbath in my front yard. The funniest are the bluebirds when their babies have the nerve to land on the ground, momma goes beserk chasing them back up to the birdbath or tree or anything but being on the ground.
Great story…..you have such a basic sense of humour…..hilarious.
In UK our Goldfinch have the regular gold body but a red head. I feed them during the winter, when the seedheads are empty. That way I see them all year round. They made their nest in the garden this year, so the juveniles are also in the garden at the moment.
Glad you are getting in touch with nature….it’s very good for your health. Did you know that??????
We have goldfinches here in southern Ks regularly–and love to watch them all winter-though they are not as bright then. I had to laugh at your screaming-because I let loose a blood curdling one 2 weeks ago when I spotted a hummer at my new feeder!! Actually, my 12 year old spotted it–so watch out–first YOU will become addicted to watching the birds, and then your kids will!! Thanks for peeking on to my blog–I will probably be back to yours! Enjoyed the posts I have seen so far!
Lol.
It was good you were awake enough to spot this cute bird. Thanks for the facts. Good to know.
In the future, maybe you should take the camera in the bathroom? No, maybe not. That might be perceived as odd.