American Goldfinch - Carduelis tristis
What a joy these small finches are and all the more so for feeding on these photogenic thistles. They are almost at the Northerly edge of their range here on Vancouver island and typically belong in more deciduous landscapes.
Yesterday was the foggiest day we have had on holiday - a huge bank of fog blanketing the beach and landscape for most of the day. Unsuccessful whale watching was carried out in a pea-souper, although we did see a Sea Otter which was charming. Rafting in a small forest of kelp, when he saw our boat slow down he cruised off with his (or her) backwards stroke. Paws penitently held together and hind paws more like flippers held akimbo in the air. A truly charming creature almost wiped out by the fur trade in the last century.
Like furry Klondike backwoodsman having his first bath in 6 months - tangled beard covering his face. - reclined in the back room of some saloon.
So no Grey whales - although we have a voucher valid for a year for a new trip (such was the utter embarrassment of the whale watching outfit). I think thats a bitt harsh myself - wildlife is wildlife - if I could guarantee my birds what would they be worth ? I am sorely tempted but more for the seabirds that were proving very difficult to photograph. so I have a bunch of blurred auks to contend with in my files as well but a voucher for another foggy pelagic. Time permitting. The rain forest awaits.
Amercian Golfinch, Carduelis tristis
Pettinger Point, Tofino, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
5 August 2014
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