Crimson King by Lois Bryan
Featured in _Human. Animal. Nature./Człowiek. Zwierzę. Natura. _ September 1, 2009.
Featured in Natural color and light January 16, 2009.
Of all the birds who visit my feeders, the cardinals are my favorites. (Yes, I do love my blue birds more, but they do not visit feeders … at least MINE don’t). The cardinals are my companions all year long … and this past breeding season we were blessed with a lovely family who have stayed to winter with me. Funny thing about them, some of the babies contracted a bit of a feather problem, mites I’ve been told, and boy, did they look sad!! But I was further told that the first cold snap would solve the problem … and I’m happy to relate that the whole family is now as lovely as this fellow!
Image taken January 9, 2009 with the Nikon D40x, using the 70-300mm VR lens (at 300mm).
See his companion here:
“Size & Shape
The Northern Cardinal is a fairly large, long-tailed songbird with a short, very thick bill and a prominent crest. Cardinals often sit with a hunched-over posture and with the tail pointed straight down.
Color Pattern
Male cardinals are brilliant red all over, with a reddish bill and black face immediately around the bill. Females are pale brown overall with warm reddish tinges in the wings, tail, and crest. They have the same black face and red-orange bill.
Behavior
Northern Cardinals tend to sit low in shrubs and trees or forage on or near the ground, often in pairs. They are common at bird feeders but may be inconspicuous away from them, at least until you learn their loud, metallic chip note.
Habitat
Look for Northern Cardinals in inhabited areas such as backyards, parks, woodlots, and shrubby forest edges. Northern Cardinals nest in dense tangles of shrubs and vines."
the above information is thanks to The Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Comments
Beautiful!! Mine, too. Do you have a Purple Martin house up yet?
Good Morning, David!! We wanted to put a Purple Martin house up … but, even though we have 2 acres, the bird experts told us that the property … with the amount and configuration of the trees … wouldn’t attract them. I think they were full of stuff and that it would work, but we decided to take their advice and not try it. I still think we should give it a go, though!!!
– Lois Bryan
Aww glorious shot sweetheART I have feeders but nobody as bright as this!!.. well maybe the Jay’ when he pops in …lovely ;} happy hippy hugglez
Thank you, sweetie … they truly are a lovely, bright bit of beauty!!! I keep hoping I’m here when we get a decent snowfall (in Maryland) so I can catch some good shots of them in the snow!!
– Lois Bryan
Oh My! Fantastic shots so crisp and clear!
good Morning Jewel!!!!!!! hello sweetie!!! Lovely to see you … thanks for visiting!!
– Lois Bryan
Beautiful Lois.
Hi shakey!!! Thank you so much!!!
– Lois Bryan
Aloha kakahiaka, good morning darling girl! I love the distinctive call of the Cardinal. I see them here on Maui and they are modest elusive birds never allowing one to get too close to them, unless of course you toss fresh avo, they love that!! It is the purest form of protein and animals love it. I love the bokeh background patterns and colours with the warm sunshine illuminating his beautiful plummage. He is a beauty!! And his lady love is also very pretty!! I love your story. I wish you a sparkling day my sweet friend!
A hui hou, e pili mau na pomaika`i ia `oe
Aloha e Malama pono,
Sharon
HIiiiii sweetie!! Good morning to you … my you’re up early … or late?? LOL!!! You have cardinals there too!! Well, smart birdies … they don’t have to worry about snow there!!!! Lovely, lovely to see you, hon!!! Enjoy your day there in paradise!!!! Hugzzz!!
– Lois Bryan
Pretty bird pretty pic….I’ve got to get me some of them feeder things.
VON!!! You darling!!! Where have you been hiding!!! How wonderful to see you … and yes you SHOULD get feeders!!! You’ll be captivated by your feathered guests all year long!!!!! Thanks for stopping by, hon!!!
– Lois Bryan
re: Purple Martins
I think you could try … if it was put way out away from your house and up on a real tall pole. My aunt and uncle had one at the back of their property for years. Martins are fussy but I’d say it’s worth a try … go for it!
What they were saying is, down at the bottom of the property (it slopes down pretty severely) the trees aren’t wildly thick, but the forest starts right at the bottom, and it’s very thick … and the hill then slopes back UP … hard to describe … but I think the Martins prefer a wider open area. But since it is a low lying area, we have lost a tree or two down there in the past couple of years due to occasional wet feet … maybe there is enough open area now. Certainly something to think about for the springtime!!!
– Lois Bryan
’Ae, it is 0613 and the wind is blowing. Our lovely island is being pounded by surf on the north shore. I wish you a beautiful day as well!
glorious capture of a glorious bird, we don’t have this one, it is such a shame it is so gloriously coloured. hugsxxx
Hi Hilary!!!! I am sorry you don’t have them … I’ve never understood why they don’t go farther north … they certainly seem to survive our winters just fine … and it’s c-c-c-cold today!! And we do get snow!!
– Lois Bryan
He’s beautiful, too!! A wonderful capture!!!!!
Hi sweetie!!! Thank you so much!!
– Lois Bryan