Sharing the Feeder

This is what a typical day at the thistle seed feeder looks like. We have "Petie" the one-eyed house finch (top left), a pine siskin (bottom left), and two goldfinches on the right.

Below are "Petie" and a goldfinch trying to stay warm in the Aspen tree.

Sharp-shinned Hawk (juvenile)

Our yard has been a popular hang-out for predators this morning! Less than an hour after the Merlin swooped in, this juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk came to take a swipe at our feeder birds.

Merlin (female)

This Merlin swooped in for a surprise attack on our Goldfinches today. The first things I noticed about her were the shape of her wings in flight (very angular and pointed) and her overall small size.

The goldfinches took off in such a hurry that one of them smashed into my patio door window and lay stunned on the porch. Apparently, it recovered just fine because when I went out to pick it up it took off before I could touch it.

House Finch (male)

I just had to post these cute pictures of house finches. They and the goldfinches are the only birds that come every day to the feeders without fail.