I almost forgot! I wanted to share this photo of a female Purple Finch near a seed feeder taken during the snowstorm that hit Arkansas earlier this month. January has felt extremely long. The last nine days alone have felt like a year.

Female Purple Finch in a snowstorm in Arkansas, Sebastian CountyFemale Purple Finch in a snowstorm in Arkansas – Canon R7, handheld, f8, 1/640, ISO 640, +2.3 EV, Canon EF 100-400mm II at 400mm, natural light

I was extremely excited to see both male and female Purple Finches visiting the feeders during and after the snowstorm. While I don’t have many images of this finch species yet, I still hope to take more before winter is over and these finches head back to their breeding grounds.

This female patiently waited for her turn at the seed feeder. While she waited, I was able to take several images of her.

I used to see Purple Finches at my feeders in my garden in Virginia. I didn’t see them in Utah at all, so it had been more than two decades since had seen these finches.

I’m truly delighted that I was able to photograph so many different birds here in Arkansas during our snow event. Compared to Utah—at least during my early years there—it doesn’t snow all that much here, and we rarely get as much as the ten inches we received this time. That kind of snowfall might not happen again for years.

I’m a bit frazzled and worn out as I write this, so I’m going to keep it short. The Purple Finches are still hanging around. I hope to have the opportunity to see, hear, and photograph them again soon—I’d love some wonderful images of the more vibrantly colored males.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my finches and allies photos in their galleries.