A goldfinch with a mouthful

The weather became turbulent again this morning, with strong winds, rain showers and blue skies when the sun shone. I stayed indoors and was rather late rising as I woke at about 6am and listened to the cricket match in Melbourne. By the time the day's play had ended I had dozed off and only woke when Helena brought me tea just as Pip rang to speak to me. Luckily he was happy to wait a while.

We needed to speak to make arrangements for Helena and I to visit Pip and Mary in Bristol this evening, where we will stay the night. Tomorrow we can explore the urban life there which we like to do occasionally.

Helena had to go to work this afternoon for a couple of hours and I took the opportunity of stocking up the bird feeders hanging on the tree down the garden, as well as these ones close to the back door. I sat in the sunshine just inside the door and took a few pictures hoping for a quick blip. These two goldfinches caught my attention, particularly the one on the left with the mouthful of seed looking straight at me. I am amazed that they are so unafraid compared to the flighty nervous behaviour of most of the visiting birds.

I've cropped the image a bit my zoom isn't strong enough to get good close-ups. Perhaps I need an extender?