Purple Finch

Funny story about the Female Purple Finch in the first photo. I thought I had taken a “lifer” shot when we came upon her at Pony Pasture.  A fellow bird photographer we met that day & now friend Megan pointed her out to me and explained in detail how to know it was a Purple Finch and not a House Finch.  That night while looking through photos I had taken the day before I found a few that matched her female description (second and third) and male description (fourth photo) and so after texting screen shots to her it was confirmed that I had actual gotten my life shot of the Purple Finch the day before, and I know I would not have thought to think it wasn’t a house finch without Megan’s help so thanks Megan!

Purple Finch are another bird not seen in this part of Virginia very often but due to the bird “irruption” of 2020/21 flocks have come further south in search of food. Since the first sighting of the pair in our yard I have seen them and a few more several times with hopes of getting a few more shots.