{"id":7957,"date":"2020-01-15T11:38:09","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T16:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturalcrooks.com\/rambles\/?p=7957"},"modified":"2020-01-14T11:38:22","modified_gmt":"2020-01-14T16:38:22","slug":"winter-goldfinch-brightens-gloom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturalcrooks.com\/rambles\/winter-goldfinch-brightens-gloom\/","title":{"rendered":"A Promise of Spring"},"content":{"rendered":"

While I haven’t seen any fuzzy Pussywillows or blooming Cattails, I did see a Promise of Spring one afternoon in early January at the Rattray. I had paused at the upstream bridge to watch a mixed flock of “LBJs.” Most of the little brown jobs were American Tree Sparrows. There were several flashes of colour, though, too.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

A Hint of Sunny Summer Amidst the Bleak Greys and Taupes of Winter<\/h2>\n

When I saw a flash of yellow in the tangle of Multi-flora Rose and Dogwoods, I tried to find a line of sight to it through the twigs. Suddenly, an\u00a0 American Goldfinch sprang into focus.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

While its yellow was muted and minor compared to the full sunburst of summer, it was very welcome on a winter afternoon.<\/p>\n

Cardinals Glow<\/h2>\n

I also noticed this Cardinal. It was another splash of colour in the gloom.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a><\/p>\n

I went home ‘remembering the promise of spring” and humming the Gordon Lightfoot song. In a few short months the Rattray will be hosting migrating warblers of every colour: I hope to be there to see some of them!<\/p>\n

Related Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n