There is a fluttering and whistling noise: a mixed group of siskins and goldfinches are snacking on the alder cones. This stoic goldfinch lets it all just happen and sits quietly on its branch.
The group of birds was busy foraging for food, so I was able to get pretty close for a photo.
                                
 
                                 Luxembourg cottage in the early morningFrans-Jan Snoek
Luxembourg cottage in the early morningFrans-Jan Snoek Stork gets ready for the nightFrans-Jan Snoek
Stork gets ready for the nightFrans-Jan Snoek Map front viewFrans-Jan Snoek
Map front viewFrans-Jan Snoek The exhausting life of a goldfinch among siskinsFrans-Jan Snoek
The exhausting life of a goldfinch among siskinsFrans-Jan Snoek Messengers from heavenFrans-Jan Snoek
Messengers from heavenFrans-Jan Snoek Snail on monkshoodFrans-Jan Snoek
Snail on monkshoodFrans-Jan Snoek Islands of iceFrans-Jan Snoek
Islands of iceFrans-Jan Snoek Towers of iceFrans-Jan Snoek
Towers of iceFrans-Jan Snoek The two planetsFrans-Jan Snoek
The two planetsFrans-Jan Snoek Islands of iceFrans-Jan Snoek
Islands of iceFrans-Jan Snoek Ice IslandFrans-Jan Snoek
Ice IslandFrans-Jan Snoek The frozen cityFrans-Jan Snoek
The frozen cityFrans-Jan Snoek Young Galloway bull in the winter sunshineFrans-Jan Snoek
Young Galloway bull in the winter sunshineFrans-Jan Snoek Young Galloway bull in the winter sunshineFrans-Jan Snoek
Young Galloway bull in the winter sunshineFrans-Jan Snoek Gold EyeFrans-Jan Snoek
Gold EyeFrans-Jan Snoek Father and daughterFrans-Jan Snoek
Father and daughterFrans-Jan Snoek Dragonfly on woodFrans-Jan Snoek
Dragonfly on woodFrans-Jan Snoek Dog behind nettingFrans-Jan Snoek
Dog behind nettingFrans-Jan Snoek Early snowdropsFrans-Jan Snoek
Early snowdropsFrans-Jan Snoek Early snowdrops in the winter sunshineFrans-Jan Snoek
Early snowdrops in the winter sunshineFrans-Jan Snoek