Goldfinch
It’s been the wettest winter on record. We’ve just had the sunniest May on record. What will summer bring us? I suspect there will be hail stones big enough to damage cars. You read it here first.
In the heat there’s shelter in the shade of an apple tree along the footpath. A Goldfinch appears directly opposite me, so close that I can see every feature:
I like the shady stripes on its breast.
The oak leaves are a perfect backdrop to the rusty brown and white plumage with that spectacular red white and black head.
Goldfinch beaks always look as if they haven’t yet decided just how sharp they’re going to be.
The intense yellow on their wings makes a real splash of colour as they take off and fly.
They’re extraordinary birds.