tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post5554245480959382650..comments2023-10-23T09:03:47.596-05:00Comments on Lilacs and Roses: Backyard birdsRoses and Lilacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-67640799966009026482008-09-26T00:14:00.000-05:002008-09-26T00:14:00.000-05:00Well, I learned something new from this post. I d...Well, I learned something new from this post. I did not know nyger seed was irradiated! I used to see American goldfinches all the time in the north. Now they are a rarity where I live but we have lessers goldfinches all the time. They don't seem to mind the net-like tube feeders but they don't eat from the perch-like tube feeders as often. I agree with you, they seem to like the socks the best and the other birds can't cling to the socks as well. If I get too many house sparrows, or even house finches around they seem to scare away my tiny lesser goldfinches. Very helpful post! I cracked up when I saw all those socks hanging from the tree. They looked like crysalises or mummies at first!Kathie Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10377224759599266209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-77893488430622342282008-09-08T20:11:00.000-05:002008-09-08T20:11:00.000-05:00Great info. I use 2 caged feeders usually as the s...Great info. I use 2 caged feeders usually as the socks were torn by the squirrels. They don't eat it, they just trash it....GG..I will leave my coneflower too...Rambling Woodshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15080120317890707767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-81826014334827897702008-09-08T11:29:00.000-05:002008-09-08T11:29:00.000-05:00Love your photos of the goldfinches! They're so be...Love your photos of the goldfinches! They're so beautiful, and I love birds overall.<BR/>~ MonicaMonica the Garden Faeriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06369882350990949968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-74797025756402559402008-09-08T08:01:00.000-05:002008-09-08T08:01:00.000-05:00Hi Cosmo, I'm getting behind also. It took me abo...Hi Cosmo, I'm getting behind also. It took me about ten times as long to upload my blog this morning so that takes away from my visiting time.<BR/><BR/>Good luck with your thistle sock. Hope you get lots of birds.<BR/><BR/>Yes, I did lose Ivan. He has been suffering with sever arthritis for a long time and then his back became so painful he couldn't get up and down without hurting badly. It's still hard for me to talk about it. We have such a brief time with our beloved animals.<BR/>MarnieRoses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-67454602323216725592008-09-06T18:57:00.000-05:002008-09-06T18:57:00.000-05:00Hi, Marnie--I'm behind in my reading, as usual. T...Hi, Marnie--I'm behind in my reading, as usual. This was a really useful posting--we see lots of goldfinches when the coneflowers go to seed, but I'm going to try a thistle sock. And I really apprecite your advice about putting the feeders near windows--I love the view from our windows, but a few birds have rung their chimes on them.<BR/><BR/>I hope this isn't a sensitive question--did you lose Ivan recently? I just noticed the "In Memory," so I'm sorry if I missed it earlier--but I know you posted on him early in the summer, so I guess the loss is recent. He was a beauty, and I know his life on your farm was wonderful.Cosmohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14260783700118031314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-9129629421944951362008-09-05T10:33:00.000-05:002008-09-05T10:33:00.000-05:00Hi MMD. The secret to bird photography is using a...Hi MMD. The secret to bird photography is using a blind. The house makes a good blind;) I use lots of windex. <BR/><BR/>The sunflowers don't seem to have ripe seed either but they are finding something there to eat.<BR/>MarnieRoses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-47183869103568854192008-09-05T09:55:00.000-05:002008-09-05T09:55:00.000-05:00The Goldfinches around here don't even wait for th...The Goldfinches around here don't even wait for the Coneflower seeds to ripen. I love seeing them, but they never want to pose for my camera. Your photos don't look like they were shot through a window. Wonderful!Mr. McGregor's Daughterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05911409327006498766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-81770602048834424682008-09-05T08:24:00.000-05:002008-09-05T08:24:00.000-05:00Good morning Walk in the Woods. Isn't it a sight ...Good morning Walk in the Woods. Isn't it a sight to see those finches on the old sunflower blooms? Every time I walk out the back door it disturbs them and they fly up in a little cloud of gold.<BR/><BR/>I wish their song was a beautiful as their feathers. They have kind of an raspy peep peep. Or maybe that's just the voice they use to scold me.<BR/>MarnieRoses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-57061207326355655882008-09-04T15:14:00.000-05:002008-09-04T15:14:00.000-05:00Love the thistle socks! Though right now I don't n...Love the thistle socks! Though right now I don't ned them, for the gold finches are all over my many sunflowers. Oh, what a joy!rose AKA Walk in the Woods - she/herhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05697387190111527024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-11331990670763113312008-09-04T14:54:00.000-05:002008-09-04T14:54:00.000-05:00RainbowMom, I'm so glad you found me and took the ...RainbowMom, I'm so glad you found me and took the time to leave a comment. I love Sharon's blog too. She and Ihave a lot in common.<BR/><BR/>I hope you will come back and visit again.<BR/>MarnieRoses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-25140506985718414572008-09-04T14:34:00.000-05:002008-09-04T14:34:00.000-05:00Beautiful! I love your blog and found you after y...Beautiful! I love your blog and found you after you left a comment on Sweet Repose. :)Moonchild Dancing!https://www.blogger.com/profile/03594812853058161419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-70286222661971916632008-09-04T13:34:00.000-05:002008-09-04T13:34:00.000-05:00Hi Phillip. I think you are lucky that the finche...Hi Phillip. I think you are lucky that the finches like your tube and mesh feeders. Those feeders are a lot less hassle, last a long time, keep the seed drier, and look nicer. I have 4 tubes and 2 mesh feeders hanging in my garage because, for whatever reason, the goldfinches would not use them. <BR/><BR/>For me, it's back to the feed store tonight for another big bag of nyjer. Those little goldies are certainly hungry.Roses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-61827552707759477052008-09-04T12:52:00.000-05:002008-09-04T12:52:00.000-05:00Great post! This is my favorite bird and it took m...Great post! This is my favorite bird and it took me a few years to learn that I could keep them year-round as long as I kept the thistle seed out. I tried the sock feeders in the beginning but they would eventually rot on me so I switched to the tube feeders. I also have one that is made of metal mesh and they really seem to like it. I buy big bags of the seed and store it in the plastic buckets that cat food comes in. It seems to keep it fresh.Phillip Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-44290705601424697012008-09-04T08:19:00.000-05:002008-09-04T08:19:00.000-05:00Hi Kim, it certainly is a joy to see them in the g...Hi Kim, it certainly is a joy to see them in the garden. Their color makes the flowers look pale by comparison. <BR/><BR/>************************************<BR/><BR/>Hi Frances, yes I use the sock most of the year (not in the spring when it stays wet too long). In the winter I had dozens of redpolls fighting for places on the socks.<BR/><BR/>I hope you have luck. I've heard some people complain squirrels will even eat thistle, but they don't bother mine or my Dad's.<BR/><BR/>The goldfinches are very busy emptying the sunflower seed, coneflower cones, and rudbeckias at my place too.Roses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-22499157591077327922008-09-04T08:13:00.000-05:002008-09-04T08:13:00.000-05:00Hi Sherri, their color is beautiful. I like both ...Hi Sherri, their color is beautiful. I like both the finches and the chickadees and they both like the thistle socks.<BR/><BR/>************************************<BR/><BR/>Bird Lady, thank you for your comments. I'm a big fan of the photos on your web page.<BR/><BR/>MarnieRoses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-37271307377401700492008-09-04T08:09:00.000-05:002008-09-04T08:09:00.000-05:00Hi Balisha. I've noticed those socks don't last l...Hi Balisha. I've noticed those socks don't last long. Mine are tearing and coming undone around the drawstring.<BR/><BR/>Do you notice more goldfinches this year than previously?<BR/>MarnieRoses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-40389183027861765132008-09-04T08:06:00.000-05:002008-09-04T08:06:00.000-05:00Hey Lisa, for some reason we have more this year t...Hey Lisa, for some reason we have more this year than usual. Hope that is a good sign that their numbers are increasing instead of the reverse. For many years they have been on the decline.<BR/>MarnieRoses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-75538786693352639452008-09-04T08:04:00.000-05:002008-09-04T08:04:00.000-05:00Hi Flydragon, I have the same problem finding stuf...Hi Flydragon, I have the same problem finding stuff. I say to myself I'll just put this here where I can find it easily--and never see it again.<BR/>*************************************<BR/><BR/>Hi DP, they are so beautiful, I love them too. <BR/>MarnieRoses and Lilacshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07121676379580186489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-23664824084724546982008-09-04T05:40:00.000-05:002008-09-04T05:40:00.000-05:00HI Marnie, your finch photos are so crisp and clea...HI Marnie, your finch photos are so crisp and clear, I applaud you. While we have many bird feeders I had quit the thistle tubes for the reasons you mentioned. As with the others, you have sold me on the socks. And I feel the squirrels will be less of a problem with them too. Do you use the sock all winter? The finches are going after the coneflowers right now and the rudbeckia lanciniatas too. Earlier in the summer they attack the red hot pokers. I would like to provide winter food too, socks it is!Frances,https://www.blogger.com/profile/03616568389165362993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-86905661886719638722008-09-04T01:00:00.000-05:002008-09-04T01:00:00.000-05:00Lovely photos as normal, Marnie :)We had Goldfinch...Lovely photos as normal, Marnie :)<BR/><BR/>We had Goldfinches in our garden in Spring and it's the first time we actually saw them, it was a delight :)<BR/><BR/>Kim xKimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15696026498050233726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-87365858465325430092008-09-03T20:21:00.000-05:002008-09-03T20:21:00.000-05:00Beautiful goldfinches, beautiful flowers - beautif...Beautiful goldfinches, beautiful flowers - beautiful post!The Birdladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16712686748252506783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-38900915892381564762008-09-03T19:14:00.000-05:002008-09-03T19:14:00.000-05:00Goldfinches along with Chickadees are two of my fa...Goldfinches along with Chickadees are two of my favorite birds. I love when they change in the Spring to the bright yellow (the males). Thanks for sharing your Goldfinches with us!Sherrihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955995520615536271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-78514435329291960062008-09-03T19:08:00.000-05:002008-09-03T19:08:00.000-05:00Hi,I just filled my sock and the drawstring had fr...Hi,<BR/>I just filled my sock and the drawstring had frayed. I laid ths sock on the patio table while I went to get something to hang it with. When I came out there were finches all over the table...on top of the sock and on the table cleaning up the mess. <BR/>So cute!Balishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17298193443371503407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-16546592203145662512008-09-03T18:26:00.000-05:002008-09-03T18:26:00.000-05:00Wow Marnie, You get tons of Goldfinches at your fe...Wow Marnie, You get tons of Goldfinches at your feeders. We have a few but never as many as this. I have lots of wild flowers planted for them. They keep at the seeds until they are gone.Lisa at Greenbowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07743973292900758183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1641867746157798839.post-65141721914939358652008-09-03T14:36:00.000-05:002008-09-03T14:36:00.000-05:00Gold finches are so beautiful. My dad used to rais...Gold finches are so beautiful. My dad used to raise gold finches. He loves them.DP Nguyenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729511776841579464noreply@blogger.com