Goldfinch and Dandelion

With its curved claws,
a goldfinch pins 
a dandelion stem
into the grass.

Then picks precisely
and delicately
at the tops
of dandelion tufts;

extracting the minute seeds
that might have been 
carried on the wind
by petite silver parachutes.

Wearing a small black cap
to match tuxedo wings,
he now stands at the edge
of a common mud puddle.

to dip his orange beak
for a bird-sized sip of water.

A joyous yellow bundle
eating and drinking the afternoon.

© 2018 Richard Havenga

American Goldfinch - Cornell Labs

Photo Locations: 

Fallasburg Park - Kent County, Michigan