The Cardinal

Ah, the cardinal. I caught this fellow snatching up a bit of corn left on the ground (click for a MUCH larger picture). Do you like his little beard? I was actually about 30 feet away from him -- man that zoom lens is doing it's job, eh? Did you know that the cardinal was the state bird of North Carolina?

It was actually selected in March, 1943. It's a year-round resident of North Carolina, although this fellow (yes, it's a male) is a new arrival at Ogre's place. I've only seen the one, but perhaps he'll find a mate and hang around for awhile. After all, there's plenty of food!

Posted by: Ogre at 06:05 PM

Comments

1 purty!

Posted by: oddybobo at March 03, 2006 07:16 PM (6Gm0j)

2 Thanks. He's a big fellow, too.

Posted by: Ogre at March 03, 2006 07:22 PM (/k+l4)

3 I saw a cardinal today too, although he came very close to meeting his untimely dimise with my windshield.

Don't they something like the first cardinal you see means spring is coming fast?

I sure in the heck hope so.

Posted by: Machelle at March 04, 2006 07:01 PM (BksWB)

4 I don't know about that -- Cardinals live here in NC all year round. I think it's the bluebird appearing up north that's supposed to portend the coming of Spring.

Posted by: Ogre at March 04, 2006 07:21 PM (CyQ4M)

5 If you have any bushes next to your home, that seems to be where cardinals like to nest.

Posted by: joe-6-pack at March 05, 2006 12:30 PM (44rs9)

6 Yes, I've got a thick section of heavy brush full of briars -- I think there's a good chance there will be some birds taking up nests there. I'm already starting to put out nesting materials and houses for others so we'll see if the cardinals will stay as well -- thanks for the tip!

Posted by: Ogre at March 05, 2006 02:26 PM (CyQ4M)

7 Orge,

Thanks for contributing to this weeks Tar Heel Tavern.

We have a few owl boxes up here, and one birdhouse I've got to get up once I figure out what kind of bird (house was given to us)nests there.

Posted by: Ginger Bush at March 05, 2006 06:22 PM (qS4rq)

8 Thanks for hosting! Be sure and check out the details on the box -- quite often, I've found, they're made for decoration without considering what birds will actually use them (see http://www.ogresview.mu.nu/archives/160566.php )!

And I considered an owl box, but we can hear a great horned lives in the woods nearby, so it's unlikely we'll get any other owls to live here.

Posted by: Ogre at March 05, 2006 09:00 PM (CyQ4M)

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