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Sunday 27 January 2013

Prickly Underfoot

The one certain place you will find the Goldfinch at this time of year is perching amongst the dead Spear Thistles. They eat the seeds found in the dried heads of the thistles.

The trick is to get close to the birds to be able to take the photographs. Spear Thistles are mostly out in the open in the parkland area where I normally walk and approaching them without disturbing the birds is the difficult part. One should never intentionally disturb birds when they are feeding especially with the extreme cold temperatures at present. They need all the food they can get to maintain energy and body heat. I kept my distance for these shots, even so these birds are instantly recognisable in any surroundings. 







23 comments:

  1. Lovely shots Roy, I've never managed the classic thistle/teasel photo of the Goldfinch, I probably should venture out in the snow and ice more ;-)

    Lovely photos of the Robin on the last post too.

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  2. Lovely shots Roy. I seem to have lost my Goldfinches, they have stopped coming to my garden and I think it is because of the Sparrowhawk, who regularily patrols over my garden:( and also the Siskins have disappeared too.

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    1. Thanks Lyn.
      Thats a shame because you are missing out on two very colourful birds.

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  3. Lovely photos the thistles as well as the birds are attractive.

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  4. Hello Roy,

    what great fun this. The Putter at the faded frame bulbs. I think this is a really nice series.
    Compliment!

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  5. I like the contrast in textures and colors.

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  6. Loverly photos Roy! I specially like the last one for some reason! (-: I think rain is forecast for the next few days here in the west, but your shots make me want to get out to my Rodden Reserve to try for some shots myself, I guess I'll have to wait for the weather to change! We have quite a bit of Teasel there!

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    1. Thanks Jen, yes it looks like a very wet week as opposed to a white week for change.{:))
      Goldies certainly like the teasel.

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  7. Hey Roy...Oh these awesome...so showy those Goldfinches! I especially like the second,fourth and the last one, but they are all just lovely!!
    Something crazy is going on with viewing posts, and commenting !!
    So I am just getting to yours, grrr it is already doing it here too!
    Grace

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    1. Thanks GG, I hope its not this template again. It was acting up the other day.

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  8. The last 2 shots are my favorites; something about the out of focus green and the lighting just sets them off.

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  9. Lovely shots Roy! Even at the distance you mentioned these birds are unmistakeable!
    J
    Follow me at HEDGELAND TALES

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  10. Glorious photos Roy!! I especially like the soft, grey, dappled background in contrast with the colours and textures of the sharp foreground. Delicious, thank you. Sorry to see that your old blog title was highjacked: thanks for the link to here. Keep warm:)

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    1. Thanks Sweff.
      Good to see you are still around.

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  11. Ouch, ouch, ouch! They look so pretty sitting on these. It makes for great photos! Lovely!

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  12. Super Roy, this is the way I like them at their best!

    Regards,
    Marianne

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  13. Roy, you really raise the bar with THESE beautiful photos. WOW!

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