Male Cassin’s Finch Enjoying A Dandelion Smorgasbord

Several days ago I had a rare (for me) opportunity to photograph Cassin Finches in Montana’s Centennial Valley.

 

cassein's finch 6948 ron dudley1/1250, f8, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in

A small flock of them, including this male, was feeding on dandelion seeds next to the road along the south side of the valley. The table was conveniently set for them – all they had to do was perch on the fence wire and pick off the seeds in front of their faces. Very little effort required. Little is known about the diet of these birds because they’ve been studied so little but I can attest to the fact that they do love dandelion seeds.

The morning after this photo was taken approximately 3500 cows were moved along a 75′ wide corridor between fences on either side of the road and this food source and the rest of the habitat were annihilated. It’s amazing how much damage that many cattle can do in such a short time.

And it was no fun trying to drive that road and get through all those bawling cows and their frightened calves.

Ron

 

 

14 Comments

  1. The Cassin’s Finch is not one I’m familiar with. Pretty little thing.

  2. Love this shot!

  3. I’ve noticed that house finches have a particular taste for dandelion seeds around here too. Yet another reason to let those flowers grow!

  4. Loving your image and, as usual, agreeing wholeheartedly with Patty and Susan.

  5. Interesting! Great Shot Ron. Was the wire low to the ground? The reason I ask is that this would be a wonderful example of the height that dandelions can grow. This plant is extremely interesting, it will shorten its flower stalk, still produce a flower that will produce viable see if it is cut all the time, e.g. lawn. Or will grow taller, its normal genetic height, if it is left alone.

    • Dick, they also grow shorter stems when it’s cold. I’ve spent a lot of time in our back yard picking dandelion flowers to try to control their spread. They are very, very devious.

      • Devious YES, but what that really says is how they have evolved, or how their DNA has evolved to allow them to survive by being able to produce seed regardless of what we do to them!! I think it is outstanding! Just my 2 cents.

  6. I love dandelions, too…not the seeds but the flowers…some people don’t. They are one of the first flowers to appear in Spring, I love their bright, sunnny color, shape of the flower heads and leaves….Now I have another reason to like them. This little fellow looks pretty content…like how similar the bird’s feet resemble the barb’s twists…like the feet a lot better…..

    • Moving cattle is not only a dusty, grustrating pain, but usually quite destructive to just about everything in their path…those pointy toes can really chop and churn up the ground…and everything growing , living, or nesting along the way…I believe it was the pointy toes of the bison that planted the grass seeds on the GreatbPlains….

      • Leave to eviliPad to say “grustrating” instead of “frustrating”…sometimes I just HAVE to respond to it!!!! God!!,

        • Patty, I know the typo was the fault of the evil iPad. However, I rather liked that word. It adds a grunt to the frustration, which just seems to fit in this particular situation. 🙂

  7. Ron, as always a beautiful photo. Yes moving of livestock has always been a pain for everyone.
    David

  8. Wonderful smorgasbord! How many birds have one that’s so convenient? I think the cattle issue is another sign of the excesses to which we go in this country (I’m thinking about the huge vehicles that people drive which won’t fit into a single parking space, for starters…)

  9. Charlotte Norton

    Wonderful shot Ron!
    Charlotte

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