Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Carduelis tristis

In Alberta, American Goldfinches are common from late May to September and a few might overwinter, which is what this male must have done. He is in almost full breeding plumage. A few friends and I saw it yesterday morning, when we went on a birding walk down in the Weaselhead. I wasn't sure I wanted to go, as it was snowing, just like the previous day, too. The temperature was -3°C to 1°C. However, I am glad I did go, otherwise I would have missed this welcome splash of colour. After walking as far as the main metal bridge, we then drove through the park, stopping at one place to look over the Glenmore Reservoir from North Glenmore Park. The second stop was at the Crowchild Stormwater Pond. The total bird count list for the morning, recorded by leader, Gus Yaki, is as follows: Canada Goose-24 Swan sp.-2, seen before starting. Wood Duck-1+ m. Mallard-36 Bufflehead-6 Common Goldeneye-6 Hooded Merganser-1m. Merlin-1, seen at parking lot before start. Killdeer-2 Gull sp-20+ Herring Gull-1+ Downy Woodpecker-2+ Hairy Woodpecker-2 Northern Flicker-3 Black-billed Magpie-12 American Crow-14+ Common Raven-3 Black-capped Chickadee-10+ Red-breasted Nuthatch-1 American Robin-2 American Tree Sparrow-6+ Dark-eyed Junco-2 Common Redpoll?-1 American Goldfinch-1 m. now almost in full breeding plumage. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/id en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Goldfinch After the birding walk, I decided to drive just a short distance further to see if I could find any Prairie Crocuses. I wasn't sure if they would be completely covered in snow. Fortunately, I found a few, but they were not in the best condition. Also, the hillside was wet and very slippery, so I was glad when I had taken several very quick shots and could leave.

A distant shot of this little American Goldlfinch. He was flitting from one stretch of barbed-wire to the next, near the row of 5 red sheds/granaries south of 22X three days ago. So, I had a real good dose of brilliant yellow, as I was standing next to a field of bright yellow Canola while watching this bright yellow bird.

Took a short drive SW of Calgary a couple of days ago, just to get out, but without doing a long drive. I was hoping that I might just come across a Great Gray Owl - gosh, those birds are addictive, lol! No owls, though, but I did come across a pair of fairly cooperative Mountain Bluebirds, which is always a treat, and a pair of very uncooperative American Goldfinches : ) The Goldfinches flew a couple of times to near where the Bluebirds had their nest and I just managed to get this very quick, distant shot of the male. I love it when the fields are full of Dandelions! They make such a pretty backdrop for this colourful bird and also for the bright blue Bluebirds. www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Goldfinch/id en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Goldfinch

Saw this beautifully bright male American Goldfinch when we went to Confluence Park yesterday afternoon. Hard to believe that the walk started off with a deep blue sky, which more than half way through the walk turned black and developed into a heavy rainstorm! In Alberta, these birds are common from late May to September and a few might overwinter.

Yesterday evening, I went with a gentleman who has had a Bluebird nesting box route for something like 25 years, recording and banding the various birds he finds. These include Tree Swallows, too. This is the third year in a row that I have gone on this drive south of the city and I enjoy it every time. Actually, this time, there was an added bonus - we were shown a flying squirrel that has taken over a nesting box. This photo shows a male Mountain Bluebird and, if you look carefully, you will see a blurry American Goldfinch a little lower down. Seeing a Bluebird atop a Spruce tree always makes me think of Christmas trees!