LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Monday, June 21, 2010

A Bit Confused

Our backyard birds give me joy in all seasons. I love the visitors we get during spring and fall migrations, but I love our year-round birds more. I love seeing the brightening yellow of the goldfinches. I love watching the courtship displays and the feeding of the fledglings.

This little cardinal is amazed that the parents stopped providing meals. A bit confused, the little one also seems a bit forlorn.

That's life, kiddo. You don't get a free ride and best to learn that now.









21 comments:

KGMom said...

I love the series of confused cardinal pics.
We had a cardinal nest in the arbor vitae next to our sunporch. We watched them hatch and then one day they suddenly fledged. We didn't see them after that, and wondered if they made it.

robin andrea said...

I was just telling Roger yesterday, while watching the migrators swamp our birdfeeder, that I won't mind when we're back to just our year-round locals. I do love the Black-headed Grosbeaks, but they take over, and our little Spotted Towhees and Lesser Goldfinches have to scrounge for scraps.

Sure wish we had those gorgeous red Cardinals here in California. Sigh.

George said...

It's a pleasure to watch the parents feeding the little cardinals, but it is a hard lesson when the parents stop. Fortunately most of the young ones catch on very quickly.

kks said...

what a beautiful little cardinal...life is tough indeed
xoxo

Vicki Lane said...

Aww, poor baby!

Around here, it seems that the parent birds just show the babies where the feeder is and say 'That's all you need to know, Buster

Such great captures!

Rudee said...

Oh, I don't know...he looks plump enough to me. However he's getting his food, it looks like he's getting plenty.

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a cutie pie.
So sad about those free rides..they are fun while they last. :)

Karin said...

They do have a sad and down in the mouth look! They are just precious though and you got great shots!

Daricia said...

Carolyn, I've been thinking about you for weeks! I never intended to leave your comment on my blog unanswered for so long. Your blog is beautiful and today's post is especially gorgeous. What pretty colors! And such a great birdy expression. Glad we found each other in the blogosphere.

D.K. Wall said...

Sort of the look The Herd gives me when dinner is late.

Valerie Cummings said...

Aweeee :( sad face, but he sure is beautiful!!! Hugs Joey and Kealani

How Sam Sees It said...

Very cute!

Sam

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Poor little guy, Carolyn... Sometimes those babies are put out there on their own too soon---but I'm sure they learn fast... The little Cardinal almost looks like he is about to cry...

Cute pictures...
Hugs,
Betsy

Jayne said...

Poor baby! Hopefully he will get with the program and go out into the world to find his way. ;c)

troutbirder said...

Yup it can be tough out there all right! Poor little guy.

KB said...

None of our fledglings are on their own yet but it always is tough to see the bewilderment on the youngster's faces. On my wildlife cams, I've seen one of the cubs from the den that I monitored last winter trailing his/her mom by about an hour. Apparently, the less confident cubs will do this for an entire year after their mom drives them away. If their mom sees them, she charges them and trees them...

Not so different from the birds.

Great photos, BTW!

Shelley said...

Omigosh - he looks so pitiful and cute at the same time! I think he needs a big ole birdy hug! :-)

Folkways Note Book said...

Absolutely great photos of a young cardinal. Cardinals are bright spots in winter snow. Do enjoy the bright male yellow finches right now -- Fall they fade but always come back in the summer to their beautiful brightness.

Dawn Fine said...

Great shots of the bewildered Cardinal..i get a kick out of seeing the fledglings at the feeders with mom or dad..the little things are right there are the food and they still want mom and dad to feed them..

Appalachian Lady said...

Yes, I love seeing the baby birds too.

Twisted Fencepost said...

It DOES look forlorn. Poor thing!