G is for Goldfinch.
It so happens that April 8th is Draw a Bird Day. You can read more about it here. And here’s my bird for the day:
Of course I wasn’t going for anything realistic, but Fool immediately saw gold and steered the investigation to Goldfinch.
I don’t really start seeing goldfinch with any regularity until late summer and early autumn when they start flocking to the neighborhood sunflowers to indulge in their favorite treat fresh from the flower.
They carry the medicine of exuberance, appreciation, high energy. And they dance around when they fly seeming to be celebrating life.
Mary Oliver wrote a poem about goldfinches, and this is the bit I love most:
“…and every year
the hatchlings wake in the swaying branches,
in the silver baskets,
and love the world.
Is it necessary to say any more?”
I’ve yet to read Donna Tartt’s novel The Goldfinch, but I think I’ll rotate it to a higher position in my ever-threatening-to-tumble pile of books waiting for my eyeballs. It only seems right.
So have you drawn a bird today? Read The Goldfinch? Said hello to a feathered friend today? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
Hello Deborah. What a lovely drawing and thanks to The Fool for being there to say about gold.
Yes I’ve read the GoldFinch – laid it aside around pg. 77 or so but picked it up again and was totally mesmerised. It was around this time last last year, maybe February.
Thank you for this post and Mary Oliver’s words ..
Mary Oliver’s words make my heart happy. As do goldfinches. As does having you visit. Thank you!
Happy Wednesday Deborah! Your goldfinch is lovely. There is two things I can’t do: I can’t sing and I can’t draw. I do appreciate people who can. Have a lovely day.
Evalina, This and that…
Wishing you a lovely day as well Evalina. And one in which you spot some lovely birds, even if you don’t draw any.
I have not drawn a bird today, and I am not a very good artist. But this does sound like fun, so I might do it just because of that! Love your drawing though, would make a cute print to hang! If you have time, you should stop by and check out my G post.
Oh yes Lisa – draw because it sounds like fun. There is no better reason! Thank you for stopping by to say hello, and I’ll certainly be by yours to do the same.
You really draw well! I love that little bird. And I loved The Goldfinch, for the most part.
Drawing faux birds is fun – I especially like polka dotted ones. But with your photography skills and you avian interests you’re good as gold with the real thing.