season of yellow

I know I've said this before, but one of the results of doing a blog like this is that you become more aware of what is disappearing in the natural world as well as what is appearing. The morning calls of the songbirds have essentially disappeared. The birdsongs are gone even if the songbirds remain. For many of them, the need to establish their own territories has gone away for the season.
The exception is the American Goldfinch. I understand that they are the latest species to produce young during the summer season. It is assumed that it has something to do with the late maturation of their primary sources of food, thistles, mullein and the like. They are a vibrant, energetic species, and the bright yellow plumage complements the ragweed, evening primrose, and others wildflowers during this late summer season of yellow.