One of Americas' Favorite Birds

Thanks Trois
Apparently cactus are considered native habitat for native Cardinal. People who know a heck of a lot more than I say you won't find a Cardinal frequenting an Olive Tree, for instance. Don't know if thats a fact but that's what I hear.

We just keep on learning.

Aguane, Fabulous!

The solid deep green of the cactus is an magnificent contrast, to the red Cardinal. A very artistic shot, two vivid colors against the ski. (No junk or clutter in the background acting as a distraction and spoiling the beauty of the seen). Far SUPERIOUR, to pictures with part of a bird feeder, adding cluttering and distracting, from an otherwise beautiful seen. High quality wildlife pictures should look natural, and yours certainly do. Keep them coming, and hope for clear blue skies.

Nice pics guys! Yes its weird but wonderful to see them on a cactus.

Such a nice compliment, Grasmussen! Many thanks! I have pics of Thrashers in the cactus .... but this is a Cardinal thread!

Cardinals are pretty special.... thanks for all the great pics, all!

Heres a male from today...

Nice feeder pocomoke! Looks like you live in a nice wooded area.

Really nice feeder and gorgeous Cardinal!

Hi everyone, can I join in? Wow, these are some great shots! I've been feeding birds for about 3 years but this is the first year that I've taken may decent pics. I've got all of my feeders positioned so that I can sit in my Jeep and take pics, that way I can stay out longer without freezing :-) These were taken Friday; at times, there were 9 male cardinals but this is the most I could catch in one photo. 6 males, including the one on the feeder and 1 female (at the base of the shep. hook).
Vicki

Amazing numbers of Cardinals. Mine seem to be much more territorial, chasing others away.

It was pretty cold and windy so this guy was puffed up...

This is the first year that I've seen this many, usually just 3 or 4. They do get into scuffles on occasion but since I'm pretty isolated, I guess they get along for the easy access to feed, I don't think anyone else around here feeds them.

This fellow seemed a little off balance on the finch feeder, don't know why he chose this one when the other feeders are easier for him to perch on.

Beautiful pic sadie_mae!

Thanks pelletory!
I wish I'd been able to get closer shots, I've since moved this feeder closer to the driveway, they seem to prefer it over the larger one. I just put out a hanging platform/open feeder Friday but I haven't seen any Cardinals on it yet.

This one was taken a couple of weeks ago. They seem to share well with the other birds, is that fairly common?

Would one or two of you send me a couple of those glorious Cardinals? Surely they could learn to adapt to the Pacific Northwest. sigh . . . so beautiful!

Wonderful pictures, Sadie_Mae!!!

I have that green feeder.

It just takes time for them to get used to a new feeder. The female will probably go to it first.

I love the female Cardinals, their very heroic and don't take nonsense from the other birds.

Its amazing to see that many male Cardinals at one time. I've only seen 2 at once.

Yes their pretty polite birds. The house finch are pretty nasty and my female cardinal never lets them push her around.

Thanks Murmur :-)

I really love seeing them in the winter when everything else is so drab and gray, they sure do stand out!
Here's Mr. & Mrs. sharing with another goldfinch

I love the way the female card looks in that shot sadie!

Pelletory,
I've got a few house finches this year, they seem to hang out more with the goldfinches on those tube feeders, they do squabble, especially when 8 are trying to fit onto a 6 hole feeder. I added a second tube feeder this weekend because I've got so many finches. The goldfinches are sure loving the new platform feeder too.

Oh good! I love the Goldies, I think their winter dress is a nice change from the vibrant yellow.

I hope to be able to get a platform feeder tomorrow.

I can't remember who posted the hint back a while ago, but I'm getting some pretty good shots using the feature on my camera (burst mode maybe??) that takes 3 or 4 consecutive shots. Sometimes it takes a little longer than I like for them to "process" when I use it though. I'm thinking about getting a faster SD card, I saw some at Wally World this weekend, the label said it would process faster and cut down on the time between shots.

I'll go over to the "feeder" thread and post a pic of the Goldies on that new feeder, I wanted 2 but of course they only had one...I don't know how long they'll hold up, I may have to add a few small nails if the staples they used on it start to pull out.

Where did you buy it sadie?

I think my same mode on the camera is called sequential (sp?) shooting. One feature is all shots in focus which takes much longer and the straight sq. shooting has lots of out of focus pics.

I got it at Walmart, the only place around here to buy ANYTHING....that is, until they get finished with the new Tractor Supply, I can't wait! It's not actually put together with staples but some kind of small nails or something, they're sunk into the wood.

Hi Sadie, about the feeder, if you think it would warp or come loose prematurly, you could pop a few small screws in at the corners. I would pre-drill a hold though to make sure it didn't split the wood.

Thanks Sheila, good idea, I'll probably do that just to be safe.

This message was edited Jan 29, 2007 10:51 PM