I couldn’t believe my eyes. This afternoon, as I was relaxing in my back yard I glanced up and there they were. Look carefully and you will see them too; they’re so beautifully camouflaged that it’s hard to make them out. Can you see the purple bush in the background on the right side of the photo? A little to the left of that purple flower and a tiny bit upward you can see what I saw. Two tiny green finches sitting on the tomato plant stem.
Wow; a rare sighting. we said to each other. Where did they come from? Could they have escaped from a neighbor’s home cage? Have they migrated here from a foreign rain forest where they were never before seen by humans? Neither of us had ever heard of green finches. You can barely make out their shape. I had to get this picture or nobody would believe me.
So I tried to move nearer without scaring them away. I wanted to get a closer shot.
Is this any clearer? Can you see those little green birds on the tomato branch? They’re sitting on the right stem. This was intoxicating! So far I had gotten two photographs of them and they were not skittish; I had not frightened them away. I zoomed in so close that I saw that what looked like a purple bush were blooms from a hosta. And they weren’t purple; they were white. I’ll try a really close shot this time.
So I did. As I got closer I discovered that Mother Nature had played her little joke on me.
There were no green finches sitting on a tomato bush. All there was were two tomato leaves sticking straight up in the air, looking all the world like birds: instead of leaves.
How disappointing! Sorry for playing this joke on you, but I had to share
this funny mis-sighting!
MorristownMemos 
Comments on: "RARE BIRDIES ON A BRANCH" (45)
I was convinced!
Well at first I thought I did see birds! Then I zoomed in and couldn’t find them, thought I was going nuts or blind. haha! Good one. My eyes are always playing tricks on me. Or I’m always seeing things that aren’t really there. Either way it makes for interesting viewing.
From a distance it really DID look like two green birds. Only when I got up and walked closer did I see that they were only leaves. I was as fooled as everyone else was.
I couldn’t see your rare birds Ronnie but was very impressed with your tomato plant. A Master Gardner you most certainly are. Gaye
Well, maybe they were not as rare as I thought.
Next time when you spot a rare Javan Rhino in your yard, I’m not falling for it!
Would you believe a neighborhood alert about a big black bear?
Looks CAN be deceiving!
You’re right, Rumpy. Humans don’t have the excellent sense of smell that you dogs do.
Okay, you little joker! I am usually good at spotting wildlife, and I absolutely could not spot any vibrancy of life, save the tomato! 😉 Enjoy the rest of your summer, Ronnie!
Even if you look right where my post suggested, you can’t see any shapes that look like two green birds? I’m sorry, but they really looked like birds to me until I got up closer.
I could not! But it was fun (and frustrating!) trying! Aloha, Ronnie!
Maybe it’s that Hawaiian sun shining in your eyes that prevents you from seeing them.
I couldn’t see anything. I was trying and thinking that I was too tired to make it out. Thanks. It is a lovely backyard. I miss that.
I don’t understand why nobody could see them. I admit they were n optical illusion, but those little green leaves on the right looked like birds to me.
Now, Ronnie, you know the power of suggestion. I zoomed in and out several times. I was frustrated, thought my eyes – which aren’t that great – were failing me. Then I went back to read your story. I agree with PapaBear … you are a rascal. You got me. 🙂
But I am being framed! I wasn’t trying to be a rascal or a trickster. Those forms on the right side looked like birds even though they turned out to be leaves.
Oh my word! I fell for this and I find it completely amusing in the end because what I’d been looking for turned out to be a different thing.
But that’s exactly what happened to me. I thought those leaves were birds, which they looked like from the angle i was sitting.
My eyes constantly play tricks on me like that. I like to think it’s a sign of a good imagination. My teen sons say it’s because I’m getting old. They’re so sweet…
They sound as charming as my daughters, whom when I compliment an outfit in a catalogue, say “Oh that would look good on YOU!”
Haha, that made me laugh out loud. And yep, same kind of thing from my boys, only not with fashion. 🙂
I can’t believe it! I totally thought they were birds. :). Beautiful garden, BTW.
You are the first reader who also thought they were birds.Soon they’ll be trying to sell us Brooklyn Bridge property.
Lol! Let’s make a pact that we won’t buy it 🙂
I fell right into your trap Ronnie. I searched all over your photos for those little creatures (lol). 🙂
I wasn’t setting a trap; honestly. I really thought they were birds on that branch.
😀
I bought it! Amazing how much you’re talking about them made me believe they were there. Somewhere in this world there are green finches.
Not only in my imagination?
You had me going, too. Back in the Uk, when we lived in Twickenham, there was a park by the river that was well known for the flocks of green parokeets, which is odd in the English climate. Apparently, over the years so many have escaped ( or been released) into the wild that they have successfully colonised this little part of Proud Albion:)
Aha, so that’s what they were. A couple of them obviously made the cross continental trip and landed on our tomato plant!
Ronnie now you really had me going… I zoomed into the first photo, full of enthusiasm to see the rare bird sighting… zoomed in further and sat peering at every inch of the photo… think to myself, what am I going to say to Ronnie, sorry I couldn’t see them when you were so full of excitement.??
Ahh then a second photo.. a close up… yes now I must be able to see them…. NO I CAN’T… this is embarrassing, maybe I should just hit the like button and move on without a comment… not disappointing you by not seeing anything…
What relief to discover you had not seen them either, just a leaf or two?? Ronnie now I’m relieved and can laugh at you… but that was a bit of a dirty deed, pulling one over on us… LOL…
You had me agreeing with you until the very end, when you said it was a bit of a dirty deed I pulled on you. Now, now, we must learn from our mistakes, and not call other people bad names.
I was seriously doubting my optical clarity. Given my fascination of local sightings, I brought the hand held magnifying glass to the screen, sweet comfort scrolling down to find the photographer was also duped, FOR A MOMENT.
So you missed them, huh?
🙂
Right back attcha.
You got me! I was sure they were finches waiting to be rescued and returned to the easy life of captivity. How easily we are deceived by optical illusions and wishful thinking. 🙂
And this is no joke! I have nominated you for the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award. For details see http://countryliving4beginners.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/more-to-blogging-than-blogging-3/ . ~Dor
I may not be able to see it, but thank you for that flattering gesture. I am honored to receive this award.
I suppose I am touched by each of those.
You are a rascal, Ronnie. Before I read the post I was zoomed in and looking all over every inch of that pic for a bird !!!!! Naughty Girl !!
Ah, Papa Bear, sorry you couldn’t find the little critters. They must have flown away from the time i posted the picture to the time you read about it.
🙂