A flock of Goldfinches have been visiting us over the last few days.
I never get tired of watching birds at the feeder. Usually this winter we have been limited to black capped chickadees, nuthatches and the odd woodpecker. But when the goldfinches arrive...
Why it's like a party! They are like long-lost relatives who show up in their finest clothes, they can't stop dancing and they eat you out of house and home!
A flock of about 20 of them are feasting regularly at the feeder and we love them...
Of course, that got me to thinking about another Goldfinch I am obsessed with lately, Donna Tartt's wonderful book, The Goldfinch. I finished the book a couple of weeks ago and it is still in my head, which is the sign of a really great book.
The Goldfinch tells the story of Theo, who survives a terrible tragedy that forevermore links him with the painting below, The Goldfinch, painted in 1634 by Carel Fabritius. The painting was recently on display at The Frick Museum in New York City and I know some of you got in to see it, which must have been wonderful. I guess I will have to catch it back in Europe!
The book is enthralling and a page turner, but slightly long at 784 pages. I am no literary genius like Donna Tartt, but I thought that her editor might have had a bit more of a go with it. Having said that, the painting, with the goldfinch chained to the wall, is a fitting metaphor and the book is wonderful.
I thought about the little bird above while looking at the birds out my window this morning. I love all things bird:
Little pictures and paintings:
dinner plates:
Why this spring I will even wear some yellow shoes in honour of my little bird friends:
But I never wanted to have a bird in a cage. To me the delight is watching them dart about, flitting this way and that, revelling in their freedom.
“When I looked at the painting I felt the same convergence on a single point: a glancing sun-struck instance that existed now and forever. Only occasionally did I notice the chain on the finch's ankle, or think what a cruel life for a little living creature--fluttering briefly, forced always to land in the same hopeless place.”
If you haven't read this book, I highly recommend it. Meanwhile, I am going to be content, on this fine Sunday morning, to look out the window...
Have a wonderful Sunday and stay safe out there!
