I Haz Junco!

I thought I saw this dark-eyed junco a couple of days ago but didn't manage to get a shot of it. Today it stuck around eating for a bit longer. It will no doubt be joined by others as they gradually arrive from their northern breeding grounds. This one is a particularly pale version. Had me thinking for a moment "what the heck is that??" and then the penny dropped.

The extra just tickled me. Straight on shot of the back of an American goldfinch. They have been scarce since mid-summer (scarce as in basically absent - probably coinciding with both their breeding efforts and my ceasing to put out food) so I'm glad to start seeing them again.