Carding, teasing and charming
At school I was taught that ‘carding’ wool is when you take the raw wool and tease it to straighten all the fibres in it. It’s carding that makes the wool suitable for spinning. I grew up in Lancashire where sheep and wool sustained many families for generations in small family businesses.
Carding comes from the Latin carduus which means thistle or teasel because people would use dried teasel heads to ‘card’ the fibres straight. I think of poor people picking teasels and carding wool every time I see a teasel:
They invented fabulous machinery to do it eventually.
These teasel seed heads look wonderful in the sunshine at RSPB Old Moor.
The Goldfinch is a bird named after carduus, the thistle or teasel. Its scientific name is Carduelis carduelis. I can see one in the bushes. I just need it to fly onto the teasel and I’ve got the complete shot; a Carduelis on the carduus. There’s only one Goldfinch which is unusual because they normally flock together. The collective noun for Goldfinches is a charm; this one’s not very charming.
It’s just teasing me.
More Goldfinches
Goldfinch underwing A fluttering Goldfinch landing on a small branch is a delight. The yellow pattern on the underwing is wonderful. The… read more
Fluffy feathers and sharp claws and beak The tinkling of Goldfinches is approaching and I'm thrilled to see one perching nearby. I love their upright stance, and… read more
Tinkling Goldfinch I'm surrounded by Teasel. It's the ideal perch for Goldfinches and I'm ready to take their photograph any time they… read more
Photobombed Goldfinch I'm taking photographs of a Goldfinch in the snow when a Blue Tit flies past. I think it's an elegant… read more
Goldfinch in snow There's a slightly bedraggled Goldfinch in the snow. It's been snowing lightly with gentle flakes so its plumage is wet.… read more
The tinkling of gold on a grey day Sometimes it's just too dull for bird photography. Then I find a Goldfinch and even the greyest of grey days… read more
Tinkling in the trees There's a tinkling I recognise in the trees. I see it as it flies down to a barbed wire fence.… read more
