Today, it’s cloudy and cold with little hope for sunshine. The Christmas tree is nearly down and packed away, and the red dirt kids returned to school. I took a hot tea break at my kitchen table and watched the birds having their morning snack.
My winter favorites are the acrobatic Cardinals. All throughout the Christmas season, I kept seeing Cardinals on everything in sight. On ornaments, sweaters, note cards, and china plates, the Cardinals, embroidered, painted and sequeined, gazed contentedly from various surfaces.
The real deal looks a bit watchful and perturbed. Who can blame her? It’s cold, and she’s trying to eat.
Although I enjoyed seeing their copied forms, the real ones visiting the feeders on the back deck cheered my post-holiday heart.
A few facts courtesy of National Geographic’s website.
- Cardinals live an average of fifteen years.
- They are about the size of a teacup. No wonder I love them.
- The males can be very territorial and aggressive. Have windows? A cardinal will soon be fighting with his reflection in the spring. However, right now, in the midst of winter, they are co-mingling around the feeder. I guess food makes everyone get along better.
- Both males and females sing.
If you’d like to hear some of the many Cardinals’ songs, just go to the National Geographic’s page on these wonderful birds, where they have recorded several.
It’s like a tiny taste of spring.
What lovely pictures of the cardinals. I love that bird-I never get tired of looking at them! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Sherri.~~Dee
Honey-bunny– you sure gave me smiles and lots of awe with your photos of these birds. I’ve seen a big fat male redbird out my window all winter. I smile each time.
xxxooo
Thanks, darlin’ girl. I got a new telephoto lens for Christmas. That’s how I could take them. I’m still learning to use it though.~~Dee
They live 15 years?! Wow. I love cardinals too. They’re red and have those cute pointy caps.
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Pam, that fact surprised me too.~~Dee
Nice shots of the Cardinals. I hope you don’t think I’m weird, but I like the coloring of the females better than the males. I just love how the bright color of the beak stands out in sharp contrast to her plumage.
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Beautiful cardinal. They are the perfect recipe for a drab winter day – winter weather makes them pop in photos. Its been a busy week for these guys here in Oklahoma. Lots of them around. I am thinking perhaps in January there is an cardinal unspoken treaty that allows all the males to hang out for awhile without the territorial concerns. That will soon change!
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Dear Dee,
If I was to be a bird I would want to be the female Northern Cardinal. I think she is lovely. Often I will post a photograph of her when I am “speaking” on my blog.
I love the way her mate is so protective too. I love their song and the way they keep tract of each other. I love seed giving in the spring!
I think I just love them!
Thank you for introducing yours, I will let mine know there are happy Cardinal couples in Oklahoma!
I took a long walk on Saturday, when it warmed into the 60’s. I figured Christmas put away could wait one day.
It did not take too long to get the house ready for January.
I am celebrating Chinese New Year, the year of the Earth Ox also known as the Water Buffalo, in January. All things Asian at my house.
I am looking forward to 2009! The year of JOY!
Sherry
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Dee, those are great photos. I especially love the first. I had never heard they lived so long. Very interesting.
Marnie
I love seeing that bright red in the midst of winter grey. I’ve had the same pair (I think it’s the same) in my yard for quite a few years now. Had no idea they lived as long as 15 years. Wow
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I have only seen cardinals visiting other parts of the country. However, we have lots of hummingbirds. Even now.
Dear Dee, I have a few in my garden. I love them and their bright color is welcome. Wow…fifteen years! Thank you for the information! gail
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I love cardinals and am sad that they don’t live here. I did spot one a few years ago visiting my aunt in Ohio and I followed it down the street trying to get a photo. I never did get a good one so am happy to get to see yours!
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I didn’t know they lived 15 years – wow! Your photos are lovely, too.
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I love to see pairs of cardinals around my feeder, too. Great info, great pictures, too.
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They are the most beautiful Northern bird I think. Many other people must think they are beautiful too becasue as you say there are many ways to have a facimile in your home.
I had no idea they lived that long. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the same ones year after year?
I love cardinals on ornaments, but agree that nothing beats the real thing!
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Now that I have my windows finished, I can watch the cardinal couples as they feed and hop around the yard. Much to my continuous enjoyment. Those are interesting facts. A lifespan of 15 years. Wow, that amazes me somehow.
Brenda
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I have a feeder outside my kitchen window and I love to watch the cardinals while I do the dishes.