Goldfinches Mostly In Summer Plumage

I'm looking at a fair number of American Goldfinches these days. And as it's October, I've been expecting that their dazzling summer plumage should be a thing of the past. That's proved to be the case. Every photo I've inspected this month shows these birds to be either fully or mostly in winter garb. Gone are the bright yellow body feathers and those distinctive black caps. In are muted yellows--even olive drab. It's just another reminder that winter is coming. Until late spring, it will be the role of the Cardinals to dazzle us with color, especially once the leaves fall in earnest. I'm looking forward to seeing the Goldfinches take another role: as the energetic acrobats at our many feeders.