Thursday, April 26, 2012

Golden

The Gold Finches finally showed up.  They are a little scruffy looking.  The males molt from the drab yellow/olive color to the beautiful sunshine yellow of summer.

Scruffy looking Gold Finch

So far I have only seen the males.

Gold Finches

They frequent the thistle seed in the bag feeder.  Oh my.. the last few days have been almost summer like.  70 degrees is a perfect temperature..it could stay 70 degrees all summer as far as I am concerned.

I put out some garden ornaments and the rain gauge the other day.  It is almost time to drag out the patio furniture!

Chance and I have started to make evening trips.  He loves the evening rides and so do I.

Sunset April 25

Sunset is at 8:21 PM.  In the Spring I am always surprised how fast the sun sneaks north of us to set.

I have many projects to finish up..these last few days I have of complete freedom are going way too fast.  Five more days of freedom. I am busy watching the birds and the golden sunsets so some things are just going to have to wait until Fall.  May 1st I am going back to work.

You all should be thinking about bringing in the May with May Baskets!  I have all my material for the baskets sitting on my desk..perhaps today I will get around to it!  I love the old tradition of making and filling May Baskets. Haven’t heard of May Day Baskets?  Stay tuned:) 

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29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love the goldfinches. They always visited the black-eyed Susans at the old house. So glad you are enjoying mild days and gorgeous sunsets. I always remember your May Baskets. In fact, I made one for an elderly neighbor last year - she was thrilled! Thanks for the reminder.

Muffy's Marks said...

The warm temps are not coming our way, still in the 50's. Love the idea of a May Basket, haven't thought about them for a very long time. I'll see what I can come up with.

DJan said...

Our goldfinches are getting all pretty, too. I learned about May baskets from YOU! Thanks for the reminder, I will get some for my neighbors.

Country Gal said...

Our Finches are already all bright yellow and as pretty as ever . We still have them here in the winters though . Our Baltimore Oriole showed up yesterday ! Just wating for the Wren and Hummers . May baskests sounds lovely cant wait to see what you have done. Lovely photos. Have a great day !

linda m said...

Our goldfinches have been here for about 2 weeks now. I am getting so excited with all the birds coming back now. Just waiting for warmer temps.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

0h, I have the biggest peonies and wonderful irises to make bouquets for Sunday services but they'll be long gone by May Day.

Wonderful shot of that glorious yellow finch!!! Farm Boy said when he drove up the other day the two top wires of the north yard fence was covered in the little yellow beauties.

I do though, despite all the frosts and my readers prayers have many roses bloomin'! I can't believe we had frost yesterday mornin' and a high of 89. 'Went from furnace to air I tell ya! Heeeehehehe!!! (Mother Nature's Menopause!) :o)

Have a perfectly blessed day sweetie!!! :o)

MTWaggin said...

We used to do May Baskets as kids and it was so very fun! Enjoy these last free days.

Karen said...

I too could live with the 70 degrees all summer. When we get a really nice Spring day, I always comment that I would be happy with that until Fall. Don't need the really hot weather.
No Goldfinches here yet.

Rita said...

They are gorgeous little birds! I think the absolute perfect weather is 70 during the day and around 50 at night. Ahhhh! It has been perfect recently!!

I never did May baskets except in grade school when we made them in art class a couple of times. Enjoy you few days of freedom! ;)

laurie said...

and this year there are flowers for a may basket. i remember many, many May Days in duluth where the only thing blooming was dandelions.

L. D. said...

Our goldfinches head for the woods now and we see them less. They have had a mild winter and I am sure some have gone north. It is nice that daylight savings time actually is working now and we have daylight at both ends.

Dreaming said...

I saw a Goldfinch briefly the other day. He was beautiful.
I can't wait to find out about the baskets!

Patsy said...

We had some drab Gold Finche this year, but they didn't stay long. Bet they were on the way to your house.

Sam I Am...... said...

I love the gold finches! I used to get them in Iowa but not sure about down here. I know so little but I will now get one of those bags and fill it with thistle seed! Build it and they will come!
Gorgeous sunset there! I hope you still have time to blog when you go back to work.
Did you get the car seat cover for Chance? It's at www.harrietcarter.com item no.E2883 and it costs $14.98. It says it fits all vehicles and is waterproof and is 58 x 57. Heavy duty canvas that wipes clean, slips over the headrests, has a zippered skirt and slits for the seat belts. I have yet to order mine. It's been a pricey month here! At my age you'd think I'd have everything I need but there's always something when you have a house, car or animals! Or if you're just alive.
Enjoy your last few days of freedom!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Hi Sam, Yes I ordered a cover for the back seat. It should be here next week:)

Shirley said...

I still have Gold Finches, but they are a little annoyed with me since I stopped putting out black oil sunflower seeds. I like that bag feeder- what kind of bag is that- I want one so I can feed the smaller seeds.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Hi Shirley, It is a mesh bag that I purchased at the local Farm Supply Store in their bird feeding department:)

troutbirder said...

The goldies were here in mass a couple of weeks ago gorging on the Niger seed. Now most have apparently move on to The Far Side... :)

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

I just don't get the pretty birds you do. I do have my hummingbirds so I do get to watch those guys. Great shots you captured.

LindaG said...

May Day is our Granddaughter's birthday. :o)

Enjoy the last of your time off!

Red said...

It will be another month before we see gold finches.
Our sun sets about 8:55. Enough time for a long evening bike ride.

Gail said...

Simply beautiful. Yes, May baskets are a wonderful tradition.

RURAL said...

You sound contented, but busy...maybe this is my year to start May baskets.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Lynda said...

Where are the female birds? Probably at home working in the house!!!
The May Baskets - - - - I love that you do those. Perhaps it is a tradition I will start with my grandchildren when I am home and have a few free minutes. I am looking forward to seeing yours though.

Linda said...

Our birds have come in the wrong order this year.....I heard a House Wren this morning and they are one of the LAST to arrive.

rkbsnana said...

Birds of any type have been sparse around here. enjoy

Terry and Linda said...

Get this...I'm not only doing the blog for the museum and the historical society and doing research for the really old cemeteries around here, I am now going to volunteer one day a week at the museum. You have so inspired me.

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Wow - that sunset shot is glorious! I do love the sunny balls that are goldfinches.

Pamela said...

Goldfinch stay in our valley year round -- so I watch them molt to drab and still feed at my feeders through the winter. And then I watch them grow yellow and prepare for "breeding" They are one of the later birds to nest... they wait for the thistles to seed!