Background Music

My study chair sits in my front bay window. A few feet beyond the glass is a laburnum, about which I have already written. To my delight, this week, I have found there is a nest of goldfinches within it. I have always found these to be exotic looking birds and it is a particular privilege to have some of their juvenilia in my tree, especially considering its urban setting. Every time a parent bird arrives, the little brood erupts into song as they anticipate the next food delivery. The website of the Wildland Trust which dedicated a page to the species, puzzlingly observes:

Goldfinches sometimes appear in Christian imagery as a symbol of Christ’s passion.

Medieval Roman Catholics saw mysterious symbolism everywhere, so this is hardly surprising. When I attempted some rudimentary online research, all manner of spiritual-sounding mumbo-jumbo appeared, which I decided not to pursue. Suffice to say that this playful, cheery and colourful songbird bespeaks the Maker's creative flair, and also anticipates the New Creation’s wonderful joy. Hearing them warble just a few feet behind and above almost makes deskwork a pleasure.

By them the birds of the heavens have their home;
They sing among the branches. Ps 104:12, NKJV.

Image by Nel Botha from Pixabay