The Northern Cardinals have been plentiful in our backyard this winter. I spotted these two cuties in our bushes one afternoon. The female, though not as flashy as the bright red male, has lovely brown-gold plumage with warm red accents and a distinctive crest.
“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” ~Thomas Jefferson
Northern Cardinals add a lovely splash of color to an otherwise dull winter day.
“One must maintain a little bittle of summer, even in the middle of winter.” ~Henry David Thoreau
“So curiosity, I think, is a really important aspect of staying young and youthful.” ~Goldie Hawn
A mother cardinal built her nest right up against one of the windows of our back porch. One morning, I was able to get a few pictures of the hungry baby birds waiting for the Mom to return with breakfast. The quality of the last picture isn’t good, but I really like the expression on the baby bird’s faces as they wait for her to return (and keep an eye on me).
“I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.” ~J. B. Priestley
One day while I was sitting outside enjoying some beautiful weather, I noticed this cardinal as she carefully preened her feathers and then very meticulously fluffed and spread out her wing and tail feathers to soak up the sun. She sat so long with her feathers opened out that at first I thought she must be hurt. But it turned out that like me, she was just taking advantage of a lovely sunny day.
“Sometimes, in a summer morning, having taken my accustomed bath, I sat in my sunny doorway from sunrise till noon, rapt in reverie.” ~Henry David Thoreau
“Little by little, the bird builds its nest.” ~Haitian Proverb
“ … be yourself – not your idea of what you think somebody else’s idea of yourself should be.” ~Henry David Thoreau
The cardinals keep my backyard interesting with their beautiful colors and energetic activity. Their constant sense of alertness can make for some rather expressive photos.
“Of all the things you wear, your expression is most noticeable.” ~Unknown
This cardinal was puffed up like a ball on his perch in the tree and really didn’t want to leave his comfortable spot, but he was definitely keeping his eye on me.
“It’s the best feeling when you wake up and it’s warm and cozy, and you don’t have to go to work.” ~Emily Rossum
“For most of us, wisdom is acquired in the thicket of experience and usually meets us somewhere along the way if we live long enough. But sooner is better than later.” ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
walking on a country road 