Northern Cardinals

The Northern Cardinals are the most beloved and best recognized birds in the south eastern part of the United States but they have also been seen up north.  The lure of bird feeders filled with sunflower seeds have spurred on their flights to a cooler climate.  No less than seven states have the red Cardinal as their state bird.

This past week a couple of cardinals have visited my Crepe Myrtle tree many times.  It is difficult to tell which one of the birds follow the other, but they make an interesting team.

What I like about the Cardinals is that they stay together for life and that the male is very protective of the nest and the young ones, even feeding them.

The cardinals have been building a nest in the Crepe Myrtle tree, the same tree with the hummingbird feeder.  It seems to me that the less colorful, brownish, female has done all the building.  She carries small branches and straws and strings to the nest.

The Cardinals that come and visit the Back Forty are my working birds:  they work for the privilege of having a safe environment with access to water and "food" free from pesticides and herbicides.

The birds hunt for insects and bugs on the ground, in the trees, and in the air.  They like berries and seeds, beetles and grasshoppers and so much more.

We don't feed the birds or other wildlife on the Back Forty:  we do not want them to become dependent on us.  But the brilliantly red cardinals keep coming back along with their less colorful mates to feast on what is available in our backyard.  They are so welcome.

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