As I was observing some birds on Monday at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, a burst of bright yellow flashed across my camera’s viewfinder. I was not sure what kind of bird it was, but I definitely wanted to find out. I panned my long telephoto lens and eventually tracked the bird when it landed high in a distant tree.
I was delighted to see that it was a beautiful little American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis). Goldfinches are with us all year, but I am most used to seeing them during the summer months as they feed on sunflowers and other flowers. There is still a bit of warmth in the sun and some color in the trees, but we are moving inexorably towards the cold gray days of winter when bright colors will be in short supply.
Celebrate the color!
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
What a bright bit of sunshine to find on a cold day. Your photo captures this goldfinch’s beauty wonderfully.
Thanks. Brightly-colored birds like this goldfinch and cardinals help to sustain me during the cold months, when the world turns monochromatic and my senses are starved for color.
They brighten the winter.
Beautiful light and Goldfinch. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Coreen. I was quite fortunate that the light was coming from behind me, illuminating the little bird while most of the background was in the shadows.
They are so cheerful, Mike! They feed year round
Love the goldfinches. It will be several months before we see them again in our area.
I’ll see if I can find a few more goldfinches to photograph in the upcoming months to help tide you over, Michelle, until they reappear in your area.
Thanks Mike.💛 The good thing about them going away is that when they reappear I know spring is coming!