I grew up in Indiana and will always remember the American Goldfinches along the fence rows in the country.  I also especially enjoyed them one late summer in South Carolina farther inland than where I live now as they ate the seeds on my numerous sunflowers I had planted across the front of my yard.

 

I now live about 40 miles from the Grand Strand in South Carolina and am outside the range where these beautiful birds live year round.  My husband and I hung a bird feeder for small birds under the eave of our roof beside the kitchen window and we began seeing these yellowish brown birds come in flocks to feed.  As I studied them with my bird book in hand I realized that these were my beautiful goldfinches wearing their winter non-breeding coats.  I was saddened that I couldn't enjoy them in their bright yellow coats, but was thrilled just the same to have to opportunity to feed and enjoy them all winter long. 

 

They've migrated back north now and are probably wearing their bright yellow summer coats again.  We couldn't keep the bird feeder full all winter as they would empty it two or three times a day.  Now one filling will last a week or more.  I miss them very much.

 

Janice