Today was a big first—I finally managed to lure goldfinches to our backyard bird sanctuary!  This will seem humdrum and routine to anyone else in the country, but this troubled corner of Fairborn has been devoid of most wildlife, especially finches and other songbirds, since I got here two years ago.  With patience and providing a bird habitat, I’ve succeeded!

I wasn’t able to photograph the shy finches, but an opportunistic squirrel who was busy stuffing his face obliged me by sitting for his portrait.  And of course the flowers are thriving in the sauna-like conditions, better than we are.

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