Monday, February 2, 2009

My first Common Redpoll

red poll in sunlight

I was so excited to see my first Common Redpoll this weekend! I think Lynne at Hasty Brook's good fortune rubbed off on me! I was so envious when she mentioned seeing them recently and it just seemed like fate that they came to my thistle feeders at the log cabin this weekend. I will be posting a few more photos of them this week - so hopefully you don't tire of them!

46 comments:

Kelly said...

Wow! Spectacular photo. There is an irruption of them all the way down here in Cincinnati, but as yet, none have come to my feeders. You're very lucky...can't wait to see more of your photos!

Kim said...

Woo Hoo!! First Lynne, now you. Good luck comes in 3's so I am certain to be next. ;o)

Gorgeous shot and such vibrant color. You did him proud!

Wall-to-wall books said...

Wow, is that what they look like up close? Nice, shelley!

Craig Glenn said...

What a great shot Shelly!

Craig

Jessica said...

I just spotted my first redpoll a week ago or so at our local nature center. I too was excited to see him. They are precious.

By the way... your photos just keep getting better with time. Awesome job!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Happy Groundhog Day Shelley.. We have a winter wonderland on the plateau this morning. The birds are eating and eating and eating.. I guess we'll have 6 more weeks -at least--of winter!!!!

So that's a Redpoll.. They look like male House Finches--but are they smaller??? I need to learn the difference. Is the Redpoll in the Finch family????? Obviously I've never seen one.

Are you still at the log cabin? How was your lunch with Denise?

Hugs,
Betsy

Lynne at Hasty Brook said...

Shelley that's such a beautiful photo!!! I think Redpolls have become my favorite bird of the winter.

Anonymous said...

So very pretty Shelley. I've never even heard of them, but it is a very beautiful bird. Glad you got to enjoy them at the cabin and look forward to seeing more photos.

sandy said...

OH I love this bird....my sketching fingers are tingling, ha!

NCmountainwoman said...

What a great shot of the Redpoll. I would love to be next in line to see one at my feeders.

Wildflowerhouse said...

Great photo. Sharon

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Shelly: Sometimes these birds confuse me. I would have thought this was a House Finch.
I'm healing quite well and got the stiches out today.

Deborah Godin said...

One good thing about chilly winters is it brings the birds around to the feeders that might otherwise disdain them - congrats! Great photo, too!

FAB said...

Thats one smart feller Shelly.

Owlman said...

What a BEAUT of a photo! Wonderful bird and a great capture. We've had a few reports of Redpoll in New Jersey (of all places) but I haven't had any at the feeder. I was lucky to see them in MA at a feeder and I've also had Crossbills in my yard -which is great. Enjoy the Redpolls!

Jenny said...

Stunning shot Shelley, bring on the other photos....can't wait! (-:

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

Shelly,that is a beautiful picture.So glad you had a visit from them.Thanks for your comments on my blog.
Blessings,Ruth

Art and Poetry said...

Very cute! and I have never seen one in my life

Anonymous said...

Fantastic photo of a beautiful bird.

Deb said...

Fantastic photo and gorgeous bird Shelley! I've never seen a Common Redpoll. I'd never tire of seeing them - click away! :-)

Ms. ~K said...

Very exciting...
We see so many redpolls when we are in Alaska...
As always, your photos amaze and thrill me.
Kit

BirdingMaine said...

Congrats Shelley! Beautiful photo.
Isn't it wonderful having a new bird come to your yard? It makes you think, -- why did it stop here? Where did it come from and where is it going?

Such a joy!

Nick S said...

Congrats Shelley. You got a great shot with lovely detail .

Unknown said...

I thought I had one too but it turned out to be a house finch. Your picture is great. I be sure to know if I ever see a redpoll now. - Elise at Pigeonhaspants.com

Shelley said...

Kelly - I couldn't believe my luck - I had about 8 of them there at my feeders flitting about!

Kallen - I am praying as well as crossing my fingers that a red poll comes to visit you!

Wendy - I was surprised how beautiful they are close up!

Craig - why thank you!

Jessica - thanks! These little guys let me get within 12 inches of them them - no kidding!

Betsy - Happy ground hog day to you too! The red poll in in the finch family! You can tell the difference by the cap on their head.

Lynne - me too! They just stole my heart!

Mildred - thank you! I was so happy for my birdy first!

Sandy - oh I hope so!! That would be lovely!!!

NC - I hope they come to you too! They are such happy little things!

Sharon - thanks!

Fishing guy - glad to hear the healing is progressing for you!

Deborah - I agree wholeheartedly! My mother always said that winter brings the most interesting visitors.

Early Birder - I think so too!

owlman - crossbills sound nice!!

Jenny - thank you! I hope you think the other ones are just as good.

Ruth - I was so happy they visited me that I ran into the cabin calling for my husband to wake up and come see! :)

Art & Poetry - thank you! A first for me!

Fiona - thanks so much! They have great little personalities!

Deb - they were so tame - I was so thrilled they let me snap so many photos!

kit - aww - thank you!!

Birding Maine - one thing I thought was "oh they like the thistle, must get more thistle feeders!" ha,ha!

Nick -thank you! They were good little posers!

kate said...

i love your photos and wanted to know what camera you use??? i am
birding in south carolina and am thinking about getting binoculers with a camera on them???
thanks for the lovely photos
kate

Heather said...

What a great photo. I'm so glad he came to your feeders! I'm (not so) patiently waiting for one of these little buggers to fly down to my feeders. Time's a'runnin' out though, as I imagine they'll all be heading back north before too long. I am very happy for you, though!

The Birdlady said...

What a wonderful image!

Dawn Fine said...

Congrats on the Redpoll. Great photo.

Mary said...

I wish all that good fortune would rub off on me! I'd love to see one! The book says "rare" for my area...rats! It's a beautiful bird and a great photo! Hope it hangs around a while for you and post lots of photos!

Chris said...

HI Shelley,
Congrats for this new species on your bird list, but also congrats for the quality of the pictures. This is a very good one.
I have been trying to get them here in Reykjavík where there are thousand of them but they are in pine batches and really hard to get one good pictures but I eventually managed. I already put them on my blog but I have new pictures that I will add soon...
Chris.

Jayne said...

Oh, he is so beautiful Shelley! They are not in our area at all, so it's such a treat to see them at the Northern feeders this time of year.

Anonymous said...

I didn't realize that seeing redpolls through the winter was not common. We've had them at the feeders most of the winter (as well as pinesiskins and of course the goldfinches). I am learning a lot by following your blog! I need to stop making assumptions that if I am seeing something in da U.P., the bird must be in other cold places too!

Very nice photo.

RuthieJ said...

Congrats Shelley! I'm glad you have some redpolls to call your own now!

Unknown said...

Excellent shot Shelley. Well composed, awesome details, amazing pose and incredible pose.

Anonymous said...

Oh...great photo..I haven't seen any yet..

MuseSwings said...

Redpolls were gracious enough to visit my winter feeder in Michigan. Those and dark eyed junkos were such day brighteners! Wonderful picture of the little guy!

Shelley said...

HI Kate - I use a Canon Rebel XTI

Peggy said...

Incredible shot! Lighting is perfect! Congrats!

Dave's Bird Watching Blog said...

Spectacular picture, Shelley!

Kathie Brown said...

Oh, congrats! I use to see them when I lived in Maine, but sadly, they do not come this far south! Nice pic!

Connie said...

What a pretty bird! Love the red color. You got some great photos of this little bird, Shelley. Very nice. :D

Designs on 47th Street said...

BEautiful bird! I have never heard of this sweet thing. I wonder if we have them in Nebraska? I'm going to look in my bird book. Looking forward to more pictures!

Leedra said...

He looks like he fell in the paint bucket.

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Cher' Shots said...

you just can't help but smile when you see those little buggars. They remind me of a toddler for some reason ~ same effect.

Cher' Shots said...

you just can't help but smile when you see those little buggars. They remind me of a toddler for some reason ~ same effect.