spinus lawrencei

Very scarce here in San Mateo County, these attractive goldfinches seem to be increasing towards our coast this year, possibly in response to the 2020 wildfires. This one of two males. They are the first we have seen in this county.

Sornan Desert Arizona Sony f/828 ta ta ole frog

A big group of these came thru the riparian early this year, got some really nice shots.

As long as I'm posting an image of the Lawrence's Goldfich, I thought it might be appropriate to post an image of it's (Lawrence's Goldfinch) closest relative...

This is one truely enigmatic bird. Firstly, it inhabits very arid, dry regions, infact favoring dry areas for nesting, so long as there is a standing source of water. That said, there is no means of knowing where this bird will show up. It is known as an "eratic". Flocks of them...

3rd in the series...

Luck. It is a big component of birding; especially when working in the field for photophaphs. Some birds are predictable in their patterns of behavior, and can be relied upon to appear, in some locations, on an anual basis: especially if they are migratory birds. A great many species are...

I think this was the loveliest of the three.

Almost done with this series...

This has become my favorite of the finches in the Kern Vallley area. They aren't seen in great numbers, and tend to stay in semi-desert to desert area. Habitat is scrubby, weedy areas. But, like any other bird, if there is a source of water then the chances of seeing it increas greatly. Once...

Hello, everyone. I've been up to Wofford Hts., these past 11 days. Missed everyone on the 'Forum'. Migratory finches are comming through and usually it is a hit or miss proposition for me to get target birds: that is until my brother informed me of a little seacret...Butterbrendt!!. John (my...

The male in front of this small group seemed to be trying to get the rest of them to take a drink, hence the title. When Larry Smith, a fellow Bf member, found out that I had never seen a Lawrence's Goldfinch before he invited me over to see them at his place. Even though Larry lives less than a...

Adult male Carduelis lawrencei at Santa Ysabel Mission, Santa Ysabel, CA, 05-06-07, Canon 20D 400/f5.6L.

male

female

i had a half dozen males feeding on the ground yesterday. this may be the only sighting i have this year of this nomadic and unpredictable species. unfortunately many visitors to our county miss these little beauties.