Today's photo is of some American God Finches. As the days get longer the light reflects off the retna in their eyes and triggers the spring molting process. Their new feathers come in a bright yellow in preparation for mating season and the need to attract a female. If another male comes in to the feeder to eat, the ones already on the feeder spread their wings to say BACK OFF we were here first.
Copy and pasted from this website.
Goldfinches will nest in a wide variety of shrubs and small trees found in full sun. Their nest are usually found 8 or 10 feet above the ground. In August they frequently build in the crotches of tall sturdy weeds such as the bull thistle, Joe Pye Weed, wild lettuce and even golden rod. The female usually lays four, five or six bluish white eggs and, until they hatch, she is fed by the male. The nestlings are fed by both parents in the same manner, and it seems likely that the abundance of suitable seeds in July and August is responsible for the late nesting habit of this songster.
In another few weeks, the elk will be shedding their horns and I'll be running around their stomping grounds looking for the sheds.
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