Garden Visitors – Inktense on a Watercolour Moleskine
Put a new bird feeder up, in the Eucalyptus tree, at the weekend and was rewarded by, amongst many other small birds, these “newcomers” to my garden. Since I hadn’t a clue what they were, I put a photo on
My son replied saying they were Goldfinches. They were back again today and I took many photos – this is copied from one of them. I’ve never seen this type before and can only guess that the new building work, in the woods behind our house, has caused them to move. My son’s bird recognition is legendary. Years ago, when he was small, he took part in a National Bird Census. He spotted many, many birds but we had to explain to him that South American Condors, as well as others spotted on the television, didn’t count.
Nick Powell 12:20 am on May 1, 2009 | #
We get goldfinches a lot, but they come in for a few weeks and then disappear for weeks on end you usually get small flocks and they feed for quite a long time, whereas the Tits just fly in and straight out again.Try putting up a Niger seed feeder with some Niger seed they love it!
When you really look at them its amazing how spectacular many of our apparently dull native species are.
Great drawing as well Rob!
Mhuire 5:28 am on May 1, 2009 | #
Beautiful painting, Robert! I know this birds very well, but I dont’t know their names in english. In spanish they are “jilgueros”, or “colorines”. The last name was the one my grandfather used to give them. He had some of this birds at home (in cages, of course). They are very good singers, and some people in Spain like to get them and put them in cages. But I prefer to see and hear the poor little birds the way you painted them: free. I think they sing for freedom, when they are caged…
trebor61 2:32 am on May 2, 2009 | #
Thanks Nick. You are so right when you say that we should look more closely at our wildlife. I noticed these colourful birds when I tried a new type of seed sold as “Thistle Seed”. Its very small and dark but the finches seem to love it. I wondre if its the same as “Niger Seed?”
Mhurie – Spain must be reall colourful if the wildlife complements the countryside with birds like these. I agree – long may we be able to enjoy God’s creations without feeling the need to cage it up. Bob