Finches on the Thistle
The flowers in the Island of Thistley are going to seed and Atticus Finch, et al, are feeding on them regularly.
There are still a few flowers attracting butterflies, moths and hummingbirds. The male hummingbirds have found the flowers, but I haven't gotten a picture yet. The highest count for monarch butterflies in the patch is 14. Here's one sharing a thistle with a ladybug.
It was goldfinches that I'd hope to attract when I left the thistle. Now that about a third of the flowers have passed, the finches - Atticus and Scout - have arrived en mass. There's a nyjer seed sock a few feet from the thistle. Between the two, we have a couple dozen goldfinches coming and going. (Their feeder is right next to the hummingbird feeder, things can get kinda hectic at meal time.)
Wise finches take a moment to look over the buffet before diving in.
Once the tastiest looking seeds are identified, the next challenge is to get into position without getting pricked.
Once properly positioned, one can dig in!
