Cold gold

 The buzzards have begun to return from their southern sojourn--two weeks earlier than usual!--but year-round residents are still bundled up in their winter plumage. Dozens of goldfinches gather around the thistle feeders, their buff-and-black colors a muted echo of their flashy summer feathers. We saw an indigo bunting yesterday and a northern flicker today, wild turkeys last week and at least a half dozen downy woodpeckers this morning. Everything, it seems, is on the move. Can spring be far behind? 

(Tell that to my hands. They got so cold when I went out to get these shots that they're still complaining hours later.)