'Our Cardinals'
For several years now, we've spent more time 'in the South' in order to be nearer to a couple of medical facilities. And during this time, we've seen our resident Cardinal Family grow from a pair, to 'fifteen.'
Then, this past November, as I happened out to prepare for a predusk feeding, I witnessed a feral cat carrying off either a female, or a very young Cardinal.
Shortly after that incident, I noticed that we had lost another one.
As a side note, I am happy to report that today, said cat takes off like a rocket when he even lays eyes on me--I've chased him away so many times wielding a mini-rake. Not that I want to hurt him--I don't. I just want to keep him away from 'our Cardinals.'
Anyway, by mid-winter 2014, we were down to 'thirteen.'
Now, after a full week of observation, I have the sad duty to report that the severe arctic-like temps that we experienced a little more than a week ago, appear to have taken the lives of 'nine' more of our Cardinal buddies--'four' presently show up for feedings.
Only two females, one adult male, and one adolescent male appear to have survived.
Needless to say, we are grateful that 'they' made it.
But it doesn't mean that we won't miss the others--their beautiful songs and calls, their playful antics, and their striking beauty as they flew in to visit us.
Certainly, they will never know how much pleasure they gave me and my family.
But we won't forget.
Postscript: Here's a recording of some of the Cardinal calls.
[Photo Credit: DuckDuckGo Search, bird-northern-cardinal-tree-snow-Favim.com-475262]
Comments
Nature giveth
and nature takes away.
I know exactly how you feel. We too refer to the cardinals that come to the feeders in our backyard as "our cardinals." I'm happy to know that there are others who take such great joy in watching and feeding feathered friends too.
"Never separate the life you live from the words you speak." --Paul Wellstone
Thanks for saying so, CL. I
considered only posting this at my pet/dog/wildlife (fledgling) blog, because I fully realize that some people would not necessarily share in my attachment to 'backyard birds.'
So, I, too, am glad to know that someone else has had similar feelings.
Speaking of weather, best to Everyone--including their birds and critters--the next couple of days.
I know that we're hoping that our four remaining Cardinals (and all creatures, for that matter) can tolerate two more nights in a row of barely two digit temps.
Atlanta, GA and other counties/cities have already called a "State Of Emergency." So, Everyone stay warm and safe!
[I'm still trying to assess the fate of our Jays--only had four of them. It's more difficult in their case, because although they nest on adjoining property and feed here every day, they don't stay here constantly like the Cardinals. I read a couple of years ago that Jays split their families up late Fall every year--some migrate, IOW--so that they won't have to compete for scarce food in the winter. Makes sense, since we usually have about 6-8 Jays at the end of the summer, but the number drops off before temps really start to drop.]
Mollie
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
Fantastic picture!
There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties.. This...is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.--John Adams
Thanks, kharma! It was my favorite of the 100 plus
Cardinal photos that came up when I did a DuckDuckGo search.
Mostly, I liked it because it was a pretty nice shot of both a male and a female, and because it was, appropriately, a winter shot.
Wish that I could take credit for this photo, but unfortunately, I couldn't take a good shot of something 'as big as the broad side of a barn, LOL!'
Mollie
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
My birds!
When we move back to North Carolina in late March, I will be back in the bird business. I keep several seed feeders, two of which hang from the eaves of my house, so they are fairly protected from predators and squirrels. For three years, we had one pair of mature cardinals that came every year. I recognized the male because he had a permanent bald spot on his head. Then one year they did not show. I am sure that age caught up with them.
Cardinals are among my favorite birds because they were such great parents. In the spring, one or more pairs will show up. The male will take a seed from the feeder and offer it to the female as part of their courtship. After they mate, they will bring the youngsters to the bird feeder. Usually the male is the one who introduces the youngsters to the bird feeder by first bringing a seed to the baby in the tree and then later feeding the young bird on the feeder. It seems as though the young females become more independent earlier than the males, based upon my observations.
I belong to the backyard bird race group at dkos. If I could ever get decent at identifying all those little brown birds that do not come to the feeders, I would do better. The most different species of birds I have ever identified in my yard in one season was 37. But some of the people who live in waterfront areas can see as many as 90 or more different species in one year.
I love you photos, Mollie. I could never get any decent pictures of the birds at my feeders.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
Thanks, Nancy. Glad to see another
bird enthusiast, here. Sounds like you know more about them, than I do. We see them off and on all day, every day, at the feeding area which is just off our garage. The area is also very visible from several of our windows, which we enjoy.
We have seen Cardinal pairs feed one another. And, occasionally, we've seen them, and other birds, feed their young at the ground feeding areas.
Anyhoo, aside from their eating habits, most of what I know about how they 'bring up' their little ones, I've read in books. And I've never known exactly which tree or shrub that they nest in, although it appears that it's probably a tree on our property line. From what I've read, some Cardinals favor large shrubs, vines, etc., and sometimes, they build nests that are fairly close to the ground (compared to some birds).
That is worrisome, since there are a couple of feral cats that frequent the neighborhood from time to time. At least two of them know to stay away from our yard--if they see me, LOL!
I do love all animals, wild and domestic. And it makes me furious that someone does not take proper care of their cat(s). Actually, I do feel quite sorry for them. And, I fully understand that they have to eat, as well.
But I'm still going to do my best to protect 'our birds' that we've cared for, for many years.
BTW, I heard on a NPR program that Cardinals, on average, live about five years.
For now, since you enjoy them, too--here's a recording of some of the Cardinal calls.
I meant to put this in the diary. (Think I'll add it, later.)
[Photo Credit: DuckDuckGo Search, cardinal-pair--on branch with berries]
Mollie
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
I live on Mockingbird
... near the intersection with Cardinal. We have both, plus Jays, Finches, Warblers, Chickadees, Wrens, Swallows, Robins, Red Hawks, an elusive Owl and numerous others.
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself. - Friedrich Nietzsche -
Another bird lover--yeah! Maybe sometime you might
consider posting that wild video of the squirrel running the maze, Tim!
I still can't believe that little critter!
Mollie
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
Eastern Blue birds
Where I live in Florida, we have a good blue bird population. They like open areas near fields. Because our winter here has been very mild, the blue bird population is very healthy. I see lots of them sitting on the telephone lines in my neighborhood.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
They are very beautiful. Occasionally,
I see one. But it's very rare. And not even every season.
Wish you'd send a few our way!
(I did see one of our Jays earlier this morning. Hope his companion survived, as well.)
Mollie
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
I saw my first blue bird
or should I say, I knew that I saw my first blue bird at the ripe old age of 31. It was the most exciting thing to me at that time even though I was not into feeding birds or trying to identify them. But I definitely remember seeing my first blue bird.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
(Serious) bird watching would have to be a fun
hobby.
We've got passable binoculars, I suppose, but would definitely have to upgrade the camera.
Can't imagine 'serious' bird watching, without one.
Mollie
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
Useful website
for identifying birds. They also have a downloadable app for your phone.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org
"Never separate the life you live from the words you speak." --Paul Wellstone
Thanks, CL. I'll check this out. As much as
we all truly enjoy birds--we've had a 'house bird' of some variety, for most of our married lives--no one would mistake any of us for members of the Audubon Society, based upon our knowledge of birds.
So, we could really use this app.
Mollie
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.