I was riding my bike one evening near my home when I saw this little yellow birds skipping ahead of me from one bush to the next.   Finally it landed on a big thistle bush for a rest.  Bringing my bike to a gentle stop I hoped my little guide would pose for me just long enough for me to get a wonderful photo.  Which it did.  In fact it sat for three!   Oh what a moment.  The next day I came to the studio hoping to paint the bird as I remembered,  not a portrait, but a momentary pause ready at any second to take flight.  Which it did.