this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2025
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Saw this American Goldfinch having a breakfast snack at Makoshika State Park in Glendive MT. Taken 7/13/25. Originally had it marked as a tanager

An American Goldfinch looking at me from its perch on a Balsam flower.

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[–] Mpeach45@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That’s a sunflower I think, definitely not balsam.

[–] everydayhiker@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Should be an arrowleaf balsamroot, which is in the sunflower family. I’ve always just called them balsam flowers, but I guess I’ve never really seen the other balsam flower that people grow in gardens. I feel like I butchered this post haha.

[–] Mpeach45@lemmy.world 1 points 14 hours ago

I can post a pic of what Baker creek sold me as balsam. Doesn’t look at all like a sunflower.

[–] partial_accumen@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I saw one of these in my backyard this past week. It was so bright a contrast against the lush green and tall prairie grasses.

[–] everydayhiker@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

Nice! Yeah, they really pop out of their surroundings.

[–] apfelwoiSchoppen@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (2 children)

That's an American goldfinch, isn't it?

[–] everydayhiker@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Yeah, I was blindly copying what I had saved before I realized I had marked it wrong from the get go. Been going back and changing all the different places I put it before I noticed. Hoped I got it corrected before anyone else saw, but appreciate the heads up

[–] Townlately@feddit.nl 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Looks like a little cutie to me, but I'm not good at birds.

[–] apfelwoiSchoppen@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It is a male american goldfinch.

[–] everydayhiker@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yep, totally had it marked wrong from the get go and didn't even notice as I was copy pasting. Hoped to correct in time, but always appreciate corrections.

[–] apfelwoiSchoppen@lemmy.world 3 points 2 days ago

All good, great photos!

[–] salacious_coaster@infosec.pub 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It was a good year for arrowleaf balsamroot in my area. The hills were covered in it. Gorgeous!

[–] everydayhiker@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Nice! It looks so great when it covers a large area!

[–] Kevlar21@piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago

Saw one of these guys today on an echinacea!

[–] doxxx@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

!birding@lemmy.world would appreciate this handsome guy 😉

[–] everydayhiker@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Just crossposted, thanks for the suggestion!

[–] Maeve@kbin.earth 2 points 2 days ago

It's almost the same color as the flower. Camouflage indeed.