American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)

Today's photo is a species new to me though it's not an uncommon bird. It's an American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) photographed on Saturday on the northern shore Esquimalt Lagoon. This has become one of my favourite spots to look for birds. It's on the grounds of a condo development that got stalled. The development sits right on the edge of the lagoon bird sanctuary and includes large areas of blackberry bramble patches and an ancient orchard. What appeals most to me however is a very large partially dead tree standing solitary in a field of swamp grass and thistles. I've noticed that this tree is a favourite resting place and staging platform for many different kinds of birds that pass by on foraging expeditions. I've seen species such as Brown Headed Cowbirds in this tree that I've not seen anywhere else. So now what I do is set up my tripod and camera fairly close to this tree and wait. Voila! Before too long a bunch of these American Goldfinches arrived and perched in the tree while preening and resting. Then they began to make short trips foraging in the thistles and eating thistle seed before returning to rest and digest in the tree. Several other species of birds came by but the day's highlight were the American Goldfinches.