Winter can get to feeling long, gray and dismal, especially when the sun doesn't come out from behind the clouds for weeks at a time. I actually appreciate the snow, because it reflects and amplifies any light that filters through the gray skies.
I also really appreciate the birds that add some color and life to bare branches. Cardinals are particularly delightful. They are living splashes of brilliant crimson, orange and gold against a backdrop of stark white snow and dark branches.
They are some of the first to rise in the morning and some of the latest visitors to the feeders in the twilight. Piper and I frequently start our morning walk before the sun comes up and it's always a treat to see the cardinals begin to emerge from their hidden roosts.
I thought this female cardinal was particularly lovely. I admired her perky attitude and the rosy blush on her breast feathers.
Perhaps they aren't all that uncommon, but they're still uncommonly beautiful.
6 comments:
I'm like, looking for that bright spot in the gray of winter.
Beautiful photos.
Sheila
Yes. Me, too, Sheila. That's why I love spotting those living bits of brilliant red perching and fluttering in the bare branches. :)
Last year we had a lovely cardinal family visiting our feeder. The little ones sat fluttering their wings, urging their parents to bring the chow! The harried Dad seemed to be in charge of the operation, as Mom sat munching and keeping an eye on the proceedings. They were almost as entertaining as they were beautiful 😍. Thx for sharing your photos! PixiePam
Soft spot for cardinals here. Your photos and prose do them justice. Lynn TAP
Great story, PixiePam! I love watching the birds with their demanding little (or not so little) youngsters. You're right - they are very entertaining. :)
TAP, I'm with you! Cardinals are just so beautiful - they always make me smile. :)
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