When Cardinals Kiss by Gary Fairhead
Taken May 05 in my yard in Ottawa ON. Canada …Not the sharpest but a lucky shot and the male was moving quickly while I was exposing for the female. I do still like the overall image though and thought I would post it anyway as it could make a nice card.
This time of year its very common to see the male and female Cardinals appearing to be kissing. More often than not they are on the ground or on a branch when they are doing this and there appears to be romance in the air. It is all part of the courtship ritual they go through in the Spring where/when they are constantly chasing one another and the male brings food to the female and feeds her. Thats what is happening in this image…it appears to be a small green inchworm or similar that he is feeding her. A delicassy I am sure :-)
845 views Feb 20 2011 and 72 Favoritings
Canon 50D and 500F4
Comments
What a capture Gary.
Many thanks Jeannine…things are getting pretty exciting this Spring :-)
– Gary Fairhead
Lovely capture Gary! :)
Thanks Sandra!
– Gary Fairhead
Fantastic shot, Gary! I’ve never seen anything like this before.
Thanks Mike and yeah…usually not on the wing but rather at rest and face to face. I have seen both sexes hand off food to young fledglings like this but never able to get a shot.
– Gary Fairhead
I think this is wonderful……………………..j
Thanks so much :-)
– Gary Fairhead
Nice capture Gary
Thanks Daniel!
– Gary Fairhead
Super image.
Thank you Marcus!
– Gary Fairhead
A wonderful and delightful image
j
Thanks again Jesika:-)
– Gary Fairhead
superb shot!
Thank you Davide!
– Gary Fairhead
Just Beautiful, Gary!
Thanks Sabrina:-)
– Gary Fairhead
This is outstanding; we see this behavior all the time, but it is very hard to catch! And of course after they’re all hunkered in their little nests & the babies are clamoring &/or gone, Pa ignores Ma pretty royally.
Thanks and yes Pa changes his priorities a bit but the males do help feed the young and I have seen the males and females hand off food on the wing almost exactly the same way the male is doing it in this shot. One of the males here has been giving the Jays some trouble as have the Robins…those Jays are such bandits but I think they are still my favourites :-)
– Gary Fairhead