JOY!!!

Last Sunday I sent my thesis to my tutor in Buenos Aires. Today I got news... he likes it! Yes!! Already made the few minor changes he marked.

There is still some work to do, but writing is over!

Freedom is a few months away :) I feel a bit like this Saffron finch, half in-half out of the cage...

The Comeback

Photo: Saffron Finches by Melissa Gold

The past couple of weeks I've been a bit busy. Boss is on vacation and work has been crazy. I've been sick, my mom has been hospitalized for a few days too (she's doing better now) and one of my best friends is [hopefully] recovering from a serious health issue.

But, in between such bad events there was one that helped to keep on smiling... my love and nature/birding sidekick Tommy is back!!! After six months away he's back in town :)

Photo: Saffron Finch by Tommy Pérez

We haven't been able to go birding yet due to the events I wrote before, but still managed to squeeze in a walk around the house, where we found a few Saffron Finches.

Photo: Saffron Finch by Tommy Pérez

I hope to be able to post soon with better news and nice bird stories, now that my birding partner is here once more. To the ones following Tommy's blog (Unnaturally Natural), please note that he changed the blog address. You can now find it here. I recommend a visit, as he will have some birding time on his own while I'm at work, and therefore more experiences and birds to share with you :)

Photo: Saffron Finch by Tommy Pérez

The young and the hurt

Last weekend I told you about a couple of bright and beautiful Saffron Finches that I found half a block away from my house.

I kept seeing Saffron Finches (Sicalis flaveola) in the parks not far from home. Most of them were juveniles and immatures with an occasional adult close by.

They got together in small flocks (no more than 10) and walked around searching for food and little twigs.


I wasn't in the right spot for the next photo, I had the sun almost in front of me. But I wanted to show you this scene that made me laugh a bit. An adult in the middle, on the higher place and two not so grown up on each side. Made me think of a king and his subjects...


I was trying to get a better shot when I felt something flying next to me. I saw something land on the grass a few meters to my left. I looked but couldn't find anything. I walked slowly trying to get a little closer and this is what I found...


He was partially covered with leafs, which explained why I couldn't see him at first. He had both legs up, chest and head down to the ground.

I moved to get a better view, slowly. But the closer I got the more agitated he got. He was breathing heavy and very fast... I think I could see the heart beating, that stressed this little one was.


I tried to get closer to see if I could help, but on my next step he flew away into a bush and I couldn't find him anymore. The flight wasn't on a straight line, it was up and down. I thought that maybe a wing was the problem??

What do you think?? What can you do in these cases?? He looked pretty scared and it was heartbreaking to see him like that.

Update: Thanks to Gunnar Engblom for confirming ID of this hurt bird.

Urban birding

A few weekends ago, I went to the store that is a few blocks from my house to get some ice cream. It was a sunny day and I took my camera just in case I saw something interesting.

I live in an urban area, but not so grey as the rest of the city. There are still some green patches and small parks to enjoy.

I was walking across one to get to the store when a yellow beauty caught my attention.


A beautiful Saffron Finch (Sicalis Flaveola) was posing for me. But then, a second one flew in!!

The new arrival sang for the other, but the result wasn't exactly what was expected...


- "Told you already, I don't date blondes!!"

- "P-p-p-pleeeease!!"


What do you think these birds are "talking" about??

Leave the dialogue you think suits best in the comments!

BTW, my ice cream was delicious ;)

Yellow fellows

4:00 p.m. Just getting back home when we spotted these guys in the backyard...

I must apologize again for my poor camera and the quality of the pictures, I think you can click on the pictures to enlarge them and see them better, the birds are between 10 to 12 cm long, so, it wasn't easy to get the pics with a simple sony cybershot 7.1! (thanks Tommy for your help!)

Two Saffron Finch (Sicalis Flaveola) were 'walking' around, looking for food in the garden. Over here we call that bird Chirigüe Azafranado or Botón de Oro (something like 'Button of Gold'). It might not show properly in the pictures but these guys are very bright.


If you enlarge the next picture you will find it ready to eat, to capture something that got its attention...

This picture helped me check out the feathers and the tail...


Last picture before leaving, with a twig in the beak, I wonder where are they nesting! I sooo want to find out!