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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Cardinals with baby

The cardinals were making alot of noise tonight when we were sitting on the lanai. More than usual. They would not come to the feeder with us sitting there. They got louder and louder and we felt like they were telling us to go in so we did. No sooner were we inside, the dove landed at the feeder and the male cardinal tried several times to approach. The dove sat in the middle of the dish and just gestured to get as soon as the male cardinal would try to approach. This went on briefly until the female cardinal had enough and came in and bullied the dove out without difficulty. Next thing we know their baby cardinal was sitting next to the feeder and papa cardinal was feeding baby and mama. What a wonderful surprise as we didn't know the cardinals had a baby. I was trying to get pics but it was crouched down, through a glass window, a screen enclosure, it was dusk, and my husband was telling me to stop and let them eat in peace. As I uncomfortably remained crouched, I couldn't help notice our cat (Simmy Bear) who they are use to and understand is behind the screen. He was peeking too but upright in full view. That's until he saw me behind him crouched down like a freak. When Simmy saw this he quickly got down real low too, and he looked scared. It was too funny and made me motion to hubby to look. All the commotion startled the birds and off they went. I ruined another perfect evening I guess. Here's the pic I got, the baby cardinal does not have the character traits of the orange beak or complete feathering to definitely determine male or female just yet, unsexed, but, it looks like a girl to us so far. She just kinda looked a bit like a round ball, subservient, and funny sitting there.