The other day I went to Taco Bell for lunch. Just behind the Taco Bell is a little piece of undeveloped land between the parking lot and the first house behind the restaurant. (I use the term restaurant loosly, as it is a convenient place to grab lunch, but not exactly gourmet dining!) Anyway, this is what I saw while I was parked there trying to eat, but more interested in taking pictures!

Goldfinch eating thistle seeds

When I went back to the flower shop (a little late...) I brought my camera in for a little show and tell for the co-workers about how I spent my lunch, one of the designer's must have been impressed by the big IS Zoom lens and asked me to take some pictures of party flower arrangements that she was making. Well, the flower shop is not the best place to take pictures because of the cramped space and clutter of the back room and the flourescent lighting, but I tried to be as creative as I could, considering the boss was also looking at me like I was wasting valuable time on the clock! (However the next day I brought in the prints and he wanted to have a set of them to show to customers... go figure!)
Anyway, here is what I took, they could be better, but I only had a few minutes to take them...

Ivonne's Party Flowers

Thanks for looking.

...or five.
I'm out of here!

The weather front moving in this afternoon has brought the Finches to the feeders

Finches
More Finches
And More Finches
Definitely Not Finches

I have had the opportunity to shoot alot of Goldfinches on and around my feeders in the backyard. But, shooting these guys in thier natural environment hasn't been as easy. I got these the other day,
1 Finch  2 Finch

Male
Male & Female

I decided to try to shoot some of the birds on the feeders at my mother and dad's place today.  I think I need to set up a tripod and just sit on the patio quietly because every time I moved they flew off.  I did get this yellow finch who came to eat, but saw me.  He did come back, but I was inside and took this through the window.  This is a pansy from my neighbors that caught my eye the way the sun was shining on it.  As I took this picture of the iris I noticed the tiny insect resting in its shadow.  We had a very big downpour yesterday evening and shot this
rose drooping with water just as the sun came out.

While watching the feeder this morning, I was as surprised as this little goldfinch when this beautiful bird stopped in for breakfast! I looked in the book, and (help me out here birders...) think it is a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak.  Which is kind of surprising, because their habitat is a lot further north than the Ozarks.    

Uninvited Guest

I'll be watching for him to come again!
Comments appreciated as always, Enjoy!

 GF1
 GF2
 GF3

Spotted This Little Goldfinch Sitting On This Pole On A Very Cold And Rainy Winter Afternoon.Goldfinch

A few pictures I took at my son's first football scrimmage. The football players all looked the same, so I took a few pics elsewhere.

ra ra ra

regrouping

tattoo

And a few pics to finish out the film at home.

a wee finch

morning glory