Well, it is officially spring, judging by the warmth of the air. The birds are putting on their best plumage for the mating season, and I am hitting the birding trail. So, Figure 1 is just a warm-up image that I took at the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge this afternoon. After all the rain that we had these past few weeks the amount of flooding is insane and many of the paths and trails are impassable. This American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) was displaying some brilliant color. The redwings are similalrly spectacular and their mating calls fill every corner of the meadow. I cannot wait for the coming of the lotuses!