May 7: Goldfinch Courtship

The torture of being stuck behind my desk while the sunshine poured in was periodically alleviated as birds visited my window feeder throughout the day. At one point I watched a pair of goldfinches passing seeds back and forth and snapping their bills at one another in a decidedly amorous way. This is unusual because unlike the other birds we see now, goldfinches shouldn't be courting. They are summer nesters, so as to coincide with the appearance of thistle seeds. This pair either can't wait, or has been led hormonally astray by this unseasonably warm, sunny weather. Whatever the case, their delicate little ritual was touching to observe.

Fooled by all this green
two goldfinches share a seed--
an early courtship.