This year, there seems to be
an abundance of Cardinals in my yard, something that I am not complaining about at all! From afar they all kind of look alike but up close, their individuality becomes more obvious. I believe these are all different birds. So similar but also so different.
The sun was out today,
and the birds seemingly posed with proudly-swelled chests. It is still cold and gets below zero at night but the days are undeniably getting longer, and spring is starting to fill the air with bird song. Now that the darkest time of winter is over, I am pretty much ready for spring to begin, the summer birds to arrive and getting my hands dirty in the garden again.
Against the snow,
the Cardis continue to shine. There are several couples, and I think one of the males may be a youngster from last year, he has quite a bit of yellow/ orange still in his plumage.
Continuing the color scheme
was this much-beloved visitor today, one of the resident male Cardinals. There are several couples around but they usually stay on the ground or go to the bigger platform feeder that has no camera. After having been so low on variety recently, it is really nice to see my favorites back on photo.
The King and Queen of the Yard
were having some fun trying out new “couple photo” ideas. I love this female’s eyebrows so much!
The Cardinal
is a bit of a special bird to me, maybe one could call it my “spark bird”, the one that started my interest in birdwatching. My native German eyes were stunned to see the first one, it almost seemed unbelievable to me that it was a wild bird. They have remained one of my favorites, and snowy days bring lots of them. I have seen up to eight individuals recently, and I am delighted that some have started to come to the cams. It’s two different females and a male here. One of the girls has spectacular red accents.
Happy Valentines Day!
Nature seems to slowly wake up from its wintery slumber, and the birds are starting to sing more. I hope you have a great day, the best time of the year is not that far away!
Today finally
we got some snow again, and I decided to take a break from the feeder break and put the cams out. It was still rather calm generally but there were many happy Cardinals. The entire family of the King and Queen of the Yard showed off. I counted four males and at least two females. The light was still murky but here are some of my favorites from today. Come good into Monday!
We had a little snow today
and there was some activity. It is so slow this winter, it makes me a bit sad. I am yearning for some frost haha. Anyways, loved the very adventurously colored House Finch, the adorable Titmouse and the King. Much to my dismay, the squirrels have found the branch cam and will not even be deterred by cayenne. Sigh.
Teen birds can be
very confusing, especially when you are just starting with birdwatching. They have the coolest patterns and colorations going on, and I have to say they are one of my favorites to see. It is fantastic that it is possible to see them even into fall. The calendar birds for August, September and October are teens. There’s a Rubythroated Hummingbird with just the first parts of the gorget appearing, a juvenile Cowbird morphing into adult plumage, and a teen Cardinal, still with lots of baby feathers and the characteristic brown beak.
I can only try
to get the birds I want photos of by luring them with certain foods or putting the camera in certain areas but in the end, the birds decide what I end up with. After a long absence from the camera rolls, a male Cardi finally came again, and the sunlight kissed him and revealed all his glory. He is a big boy now but there are still some “teenage specks” visible in his feathers. He returned several times and made it known that he was not happy when the bowl was empty. The little Goldfinch lady was tolerated and seemed to be impressed. But who would not be? He is a worthy carrier of the title King of the Yard.
The Cardis
are getting more used to the camera feeders now, which is lovely and also why you get another load of these beauties today. These two individuals here are particularly cool to look at. The male is a young one, still showing some specks of brown, also in the beak. Their beaks only turn all red when they are one year old. You can also see his beak damage a little better. The female has beautiful red sprinkles all over her. I can never really decide which of the two I like better. They are both so stunning.
The backyard is starting
to brim with fertility, and love is buzzing all over the place. I saw Grackles mating, Robins collecting nesting material by the bath, and the Cardinals were totally hamming it up today. There is just something so pure and adorable about a Cardi man feeding his lady to woo her. I have seen it several times today, and I am so happy that they even took it to the camera. I hope their nest, wherever it is, is safe and sound, and they will have some babies this year. Come good into Saturday!
Happy Tuesday
with a little gallery of the current “staff”. I love that also this year, there is a Grack with a blue sheen that looks different than the usual more purple ones. The Goldfinches are beginning to look very funny, the Titmice seem to be staying for the season, and Peanut the Redbellied Woodpecker is showing why this species is named so.
(Redbellied Woodpecker, Grackle, Grackle, Mourning Dove, Goldfinch, Cardinal, Blue Jay, Redwinged Blackbird, Tufted Titmouse)
Otherwise,
we are all hanging in here, trying to stay warm and in good spirits. I hope you do too. Watching the birds and their antics helps :) Come good into the week!
When the sun was out yesterday,
the King took the time to bask in the evening light for a dinner for one.
Not wanting to share with that House Finch.
The Royals
came out to show off in the sun today. I have several Cardi couples around, and recently, this female has started coming to the Birdsy cam in the early mornings and evenings. I was happy to finally see her on the photo cam today. It is not the original Queen Red Eyebrow, but she has some pretty strong markings too. The male always either comes shortly before or after her.
The royal couple
does not mind the rain much, and I think it might have to do with them being probably better camouflaged than in any other season right now. I love all her blush around the face and crest, and the King always looks gorgeous with a little rain on him anyways. Have a wonderful weekend!
It makes me happy
to watch the yard in the mornings and evenings because a group of Cardinals has started to take over. I have lived in this country for quite a bit now but they are still stunning to me with their vibrance and beauty.
Now that the feeders
are slowly getting a little calmer, the regulars make more frequent appearances and re-occupy the yard. Like the King and Queen of the Yard. He looks a bit rough around the edges but he will soon be all pretty, just like his partner. Have a great start into the weekend!
