August 2015 – Sierra Nevada Highlands
I’m still not 100% certain this is a Gray-crowned Rosy Finch, but it seems to be an immature bird. Those can be pretty hard to identify, but the list of suspects in an environment like this is small. (Alpine terrain above 10,000ft elevation).
Gray-crowned Rosy Finch
May 2014 – Malheur National Wildlife Refuge – Oregon
I believe this is a female (young males look similar), perched for a moment in the Malheur wetlands.
Black-headed Grosbeak
Lesser Goldfinch
January 2013 – Hillsboro, Oregon
At a quick glance, these birds can pass for an American Goldfinch in winter plumage. But, the olive back is a good indicator.
Cassin's Finch
August 2012 – Boise, Idaho
These were popular at a backyard feeder. The male of this bird is more brilliant – rosy red – in different times of the year, but it does appear to be the same species. A good tell-tale on this one is the bill size and shape, plus the streaking in the belly.
Pine Grosbeak
August 2012 – Wind River Mountains, Wyoming
Amazing how different the coloration of these birds can be. I saw a number of these and think they were either females or young birds… It took a bit of deduction to come to the conclusion they were Pine Grosbeaks.
Pine Grosbeak
November 2004 – Mt. Ararat, Washington
This was one of a small flock of Pine Grosbeaks, feeding on beargrass stems that were poking through an autumn snow on the south side of Mt. Rainier.
American Goldfinch
June 2012 – Sauvie Island, Oregon
I had set up in a portable blind, waiting for a Yellowthroat to land on this branch. He never did, but this female American Goldfinch passed through. I suppose I can’t complain too much… I was happy with this photo, but reminded myself that I really set up on the wrong side of this branch… though, there really wasn’t a good location on the other side. Another problem was an almost invisible spider web that’s just in front of the bird’s head (you can see it on this photo). Nearly all my photos were focused on the spider web instead of the bird, but this one came out OK. I was impressed that my camera’s autofocus could pick-up a spider web, but I’m not sure when that’d be useful.
Red-Crested Cardinal
November 2007 – Kaua’i
This introduced species is rather common on Kaua’i.