Northern Cardinal

This morning after putting out our normal specialty mix of birdseed on our two platform feeders, I hunkered down for what I thought would be a long wait.  You see, when I arrived at the feeders there were no birds in sight, in fact, there were no hints of birds anywhere in the area by either sight or sound!  I assumed it would be quite the wait for any photographic opportunities.  I was very wrong!

 Within seconds it seemed, the trees and undergrowth came alive with movement.  Within seconds of the movement, there was a variety of chips and chortles coming from seemingly everywhere.  I first saw her gazing at me from behind a branch of thick green leaves.  She was calling out a quick, "chip, chip, chip". I'm not sure if it was a call that I was there or that perhaps the food was there?  Regardless, she was there and clearly interested in what was going on.


The beauty of the female Northern Cardinal, (Cardinalis cardinalis) is very under rated!  Her bright orange beak, suitably made for cracking the hardest of shells, is separated from the highlights her beautiful red-orange crest only by the slightest of a thin black outline.  Her colorful wings start out by her breast with a yellowish-orange color, which gradually blends into a vibrant red at the tips.  Her tale follows suit similarly, with a distinct occasional black highlight.  In the sunlight, the female Northern Cardinal can easily match her mate in a beauty contest.

If you are ever lucky enough to get the opportunity to observe the female Northern Cardinal  for any length of time, you will be pleasantly surprised at what you see.  Her beauty and grace is matched only by her tenacity at the feeder and her ability to disappear when she doesn't want to be seen.   She is seemingly very loyal and she won't be found far from her mate.
When she's not at the feeders cracking her favorite seed, (the large striped sunflower), she will be nearby, resting on a branch, preening and observing.  You'll have to look hard to find her however, as she blends in with her surroundings quite well.

There is never a disappointing day outback at the feeders!