Monday, March 23, 2009

Courting Cardinals

Spring is so wonderful! The birds are very active, singing their best songs and trying to show off. We have a pair of Cardinals we have been watching for a while. The male is trying very hard to become the suitor for the female.

This is about as close as he has come to the female before she flies away. She is in the upper right corner, trying to look nonchalant.

He is in the lower left corner, trying to look beautiful.




I think he is quite handsome.


She seems less impressed.



She looks at me as if to say, "Lady, this is none of your business."


Much as I love the bird activity, there is one thing I love even better about spring. The days are getting longer by minutes rather than milliseconds. Oh, it does a body good!
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25 comments:

  1. Betsy Banks AdamsMarch 23, 2009 at 10:40 AM

    Beautiful, Carolyn.. They are some of my fav's. On Saturday, when I was outside working in the yard, a couple of MALES were above my head "Chipping"... Then I saw them both again yesterday. I don't know which of them will 'win' the lady!!!!

    This morning a male Towhee was outside my computer room window singing "Drink Your Teeeeeehhheehheee". Do you have Towhees?

    Have a great day.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  2. Dog_geekMarch 23, 2009 at 11:13 AM

    Nice cardinal photos! I'm totally loving the lengthening of the days - whee!

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  3. ThistlebroomsMarch 23, 2009 at 12:49 PM

    I just Love listening to them 'chirp' before the Sun comes up...Their usually so cautious of their surroundings they leave on a moments notice...(To another branch and watch me from there!!!) Never too far from the Bird Feeder!!!

    Lovely Photo's Carolyn...
    My Best...Marilyn

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  4. Cedar ...March 23, 2009 at 1:10 PM

    Love your photo captions! Wonder how that saga turned out?

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  5. Cedar ...March 23, 2009 at 1:10 PM

    Love your photo captions! Wonder how that saga turned out?

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  6. CherylMarch 23, 2009 at 2:49 PM

    Hi Carolyn....you are so clever with your words, they fit the photographs perfectly....

    The cardinals are so beautiful....and I love Mrs Cardinal....I like her style.....

    Like you the longer days are a delight....we must enjoy them......they seem to pass too quickly these days!!

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  7. KGMomMarch 23, 2009 at 4:27 PM

    Mrs. Cardinal has that "do you mind?" look on her face.

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  8. Mary Isabella and Kiley too!March 23, 2009 at 4:58 PM

    These are so breathtaking. I feel Spring now that I have visited you and seen all of this beauty....m..

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  9. Carol MurdockMarch 23, 2009 at 5:24 PM

    They are gorgeous Carolyn! We have about four pairs that come out back to the feeders every evening as the sun goes down and I love to sit and watch them!
    Carol

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  10. ShelleyMarch 23, 2009 at 8:17 PM

    LOL at your beautiful cardinal couple! I think that female is playing hard to get!

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  11. TinaMarch 23, 2009 at 8:26 PM

    Carolyn,
    He is most definitely a handsome guy. He will win in the end..she will be la la for him!! lol

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  12. mon@rchMarch 23, 2009 at 10:36 PM

    my cardinals have really been singing up a storm also! Love these photos!

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  13. LOVE, MERCY AND GRACE...GOD'S GRACEMarch 23, 2009 at 11:11 PM

    Great photos of the cardinals! And I'm like you, I love the longer days now (still trying to adjust to the morning hours though...may never!)

    ~Beth

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  14. grammyMarch 23, 2009 at 11:27 PM

    I think I am becoming a bird watcher (o: Love seeing them on your blog anyway.

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  15. LeedraMarch 24, 2009 at 1:03 AM

    They are beautiful. You really captured their personilities.

    Leedra’s Photos For Fun
    Leedra’s Greeting Cards
    Photography By Leedra

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  16. JayneMarch 24, 2009 at 6:45 AM

    The longer days are a balm to my soul as well Carolyn. I love that even in the dark mornings now, there is a hint of the sunrise on the horizon. Soon, we'll be still outside at 9PM! :c)

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  17. RuthMarch 24, 2009 at 8:10 AM

    Cardinals make such a lovely show in the spring. I hope they will nest in our yard again this year, although last year's nest blew down in the winter.

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  18. troutbirderMarch 24, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    Don't give up hope Mr. Cardinal. She just likes to tease.

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  19. Cicero SingsMarch 24, 2009 at 11:53 AM

    I too LOVE the longer days. It is always a toss up as to which season I like best, spring or fall. Fall has one thing going against it and that is the shortening days.

    We saw a flock of robins, for the first time, on Sunday.

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  20. Coffee with CathyMarch 24, 2009 at 12:55 PM

    I saw two male robins duking it out this morning -- I'm sure the object of their affections was nearby watching. Ah, love!

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  21. KarenMarch 24, 2009 at 8:37 PM

    The last photo and your caption made me laugh. I'm enjoying the longer days as well. :)

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  22. Valerie CummingsMarch 24, 2009 at 9:12 PM

    Wow! What beautiful birds!! We really enjoy your pictures! Hugs Joey and Kealani

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  23. VanMarch 24, 2009 at 10:07 PM

    Yes - longer days. I'm with you!

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  24. DonnaMarch 25, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    Your cardinal pictures are beautiful! I love watching them.

    I'm also lovin' the longer days with more daylight!

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  25. NCmountainwomanMarch 25, 2009 at 1:21 PM

    Thanks for commenting, everyone.

    Betsy - Yes, we do have Towhees. We have one that comes on the deck every afternoon about the same time. I love hearing his song.

    Cedar - I suspect she finally gave him approval.

    Van - Thanks for dropping by.

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