Is that I have seen only one cardinal,
ever.
The first was in Buenos Aires.
Meet Cardinal number two!
I met him at The Superstition Mountains in Arizona.
He was a rare finding and was quite sociable.
Of course I didn’t have my good bird zoom lens, but he’s so handsome, it almost doesn’t matter.
Cheers to you from my second Cardinal in Arizona~
sweet!
Indeed α
I wish they were here in N.M. So pretty.
Aren’t they lovely. I wish you had them too!! I hear their populations are doing well with is very good news α
Isn’t he a beauty? His wife is somewhere close by, they travel in pairs -at least here where I live. We have them in our yard and I enjoy seeing them on our feeders.
I missed the wife, but there was some small bird in the nearby bush. I bet that was her. She was more shy α
Come to NC. They are everywhere. Several mating pairs live in my yard.
I think there is a type of Desert Cardinal in the Southwest and a Vermillion Cardinal in Argentina? π€
Well…duh. I scanned the pix fast. Just now caught Buenos Aires. *facepalm*
I would love to see your NC cardinals! My husband lived in NC but doesn’t remember seeing them. No worries about BA, I scan quickly too, as you know!!! Cheers to you α
They are adorable babies. I love to hear them chirp and call for mates.
I would SO love to see them!
How interesting. I didn’t know that! Thanks for the information α
I was just re-reading over the Cardinal list. Our Cardinals are Northern Cardinals. If you were taking pix in Arizona, they are there, too.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_cardinal
Yes. You are right. Amazing how adaptive Northern Cardinals are. They are here, rarely seen, but surviving in such a different habitat than Northern Carolina. Fascinating α
Exactly.
I got the country wrong, too, on the Vermillion:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermilion_cardinal
You can never go wrong with me by showing me new photos and info on birds. The vermilion cardinal is such a beauty! Wow. The one I saw in Argentina was a Red Crested Cardinal. He looked a lot like the Desert Cardinal with just paint strokes of red. Really striking, friendly bird.
Here is the Desert Cardinal:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrhuloxia
Thank you! Amazingly tough little birdies. Look at the coloration of the female! And they are a species of least concern. It’s nice to get good news. Thank you for sharing.
Welcome!
Such fabulous colouring, you were so lucky to spot and photograph him.
Yes indeed. I was beyond the moon with him α
Understandable
αα
Isnβt he gorgeous! Congratulations on your find, Cindy, and your photos of him are great.
Thank you Lynette. I was completely thrilled and it was so unexpected! α
We have a sweet couple who frequent our bird feeders and bath. they are so pretty and I love their call.
How wonderful! I would love to see them α
We see cardinals on a regular basis in our yard. They’re such a treat in their bright red plummage!
You are very lucky Liz α
Fantastic, and I really mean it, they look straight from fantasy : )
Yes, so gorgeous they are surreal! α
They are gorgeous! What a great find.
I was completely thrilled! α
Someday I would love to see a real live cardinal. These photos are wonderful, Cindy. Just beautiful.
I sincerely hope that day comes soon. It thrilled me to no end and he was so friendly! α
πβ€οΈ
I’ve never seen a cardinal in person…I appreciate your photos…and this cardinal seems to have a friendly personality.
He was so friendly! Not shy at all. Hopping around a lot on the ground. I do hope you see one. It is quite special α
What a beautiful creature! <3
Have a fine week, and stay safe, dear Cindy!
Thank you my friend & so happy you enjoyed him. Stay safe my friend α
Wow.. Fabulous πππ
He’s a beauty all right. Thank you α
Welcome πΉ
αα
Oh, WHAT a fine fellah.
He is all dressed up and ready to go!! α
Last time I saw a cardinal was in Michigan. I’ve lived in Arizona for a decade and haven’t laid eyes on a cardinal. Seen lots of crows, owls, and hawks though! π
Cute lil guy! Great photos!
This is what Arizonians are telling me. Sightings are rare. So I am especially thrilled α
great shots
Grazie mille α
I have never seen a Cardinal. Beauty shots Cindy!
Now I don’t feel so bad……. I hope you do see one α
For your one and only sighting of one you had a good look and made some wonderful images of it. I’m still hoping and waiting to see my first one.
I am hoping with you! It is quite a thrill when you rarely see them α
Definitely a fabulous fella. We see the red ones every day here. It’s the white ones we’ve only ever seen once here in S. Ontario.
How awesome is that! I have never seen a white one. α
This is one heck of a striking bird! Thank you the sweet pics, Cindy!! β¦
Hugs to you Resa & stay well my friend α
We are fortunate to have cardinals throughout the year. They are beautiful birds!
You are indeed very fortunate. They are stunners α
Beautiful.
Happy you like him α
Despite our baseball team being the Cardinals, I never thought about cardinals being here in Arizona! They were my grandmother’s favorite bird and in Nebraska we’d occasionally see them, if the blue jays weren’t dominating the feeder…
I asked a local and he said he has only seen a cardinal once is the past seven years! Apparently are rather rarely seen. This guy was very friendly. There seemed to be seed scattered about which I didn’t put there, so this may explain his friendliness α
This is only the second Cardinal you’ve seen?? Oh, Cindy, you need to come visit me now — we’ve got all kinds of Cardinals (males as well as their mates), just hanging around the yard. I love listening to their songs, and catching a glimpse of that brilliant red color is a true treat!
It’s a deal! We need to house swap!!! π α
Thank you for sharing the moment you saw your first cardinal, Cindy. What an exciting moment!
A very special day! Cheers to you Rebecca α
It’s interesting how our minds are drawn to novelty! In most of the Eastern US, Cardinals are so numerous and ubiquitous, many of us forget on a daily basis how stunning they are. And yet when we head to the Southwest and see the much more drab Pyrrhuloxia, we get all excited. LOL! Glad you got to see another of these pretty birds that’s the state birds of many states β€οΈ
Yes! This reminds me of being in South Africa and getting excited over the crocodiles sunning on the banks. I voiced this, and a local lady said to me, “Well, they are very common.”
I replied, “Your common is my exotic!” α
Gorgeous photos of a glorious bird, congrats Cindy. We had them in a front yard tree, I heard their sweet song before I saw the Cardinals and put two and two together. I wonder if your Cardinal is a migrator? Here, they do not migrate and stay all winter long. I can’t imagine Arizona in August being prime habitat for your lovely guy?
Apparently they don’t migrate. They live in Arizona but are apparently rare to see. I am no expert though as I have seen a sum total of two of them! α
Thanks Cindy. You’re on a roll! Congrats on number two, the way it feels so memorable to you shines through your in your narrative and lovely photos. Maybe he has a friend to introduce to you!
What a lovely comment! Thank you & be well my friend.
I feel your pain. I was in St. Louis a few years ago and never saw one either. My relatives kept telling me that I just missed one.
So sad. I do commiserate with you fully αα
He is a looker! Great title. Welcome to sunny AZ! Enjoy the majestic Superstitions. π₯°
The Superstitions are so awesome! AZ is a stunning state. My camera is getting tired α
It is a spectacular mountain range with an interesting history. I am so excited for you! A beautiful time of year to visit. π₯° So much to see and do! I look forward to more of your shares!
I am getting the hang about how to photograph here. It is no where near as easy as it looks at all. The sun is everything here. I have been throwing out so many photos that I thought were in perfect light, but the topography is so unique, it requires a lot of practice at different times of the day, and at different distances, to see what works. We are hiking everyday. There are so many trails! I am having SO MUCH fun learning in Arizona! You are lucky to live here α
I am delighted by your email. Thank you for sharing, Cindy. Right you are – no avoiding the sun here! Photography is a soul-enriching hobby for me, and I am always learning something. Part of the appeal, I suppose. Golden hour truly is golden here and clouds are a blessing! Yes, there are many wonderful trails and lakes too, surprisingly. You probably don’t have time on this trip, but Tucson also has gorgeous trails and Sabino Canyon is a must see. Picacho Peak State Park is on the way there, and I imagine there are wildflowers now, with the rains we had. They won’t last long, but if there, they are gorgeous. Anyway… I could go on! π I am fortunate, thank you. Starting in June I sing a different tune! π₯΅Enjoy! π΅
We have lots of cardinals here in Missouri! They are a joy to see anytime, anywhere!
Lucky you! They are indeed a joyful bird α
Hi Cindy – thanks for posting pictures of one of my favorite birds. We have cardinals where we live, although they don’t come out all the time. The male is always so bright in color, but in seeing the female, I’ve grown to appreciate her muted feathers and regal look.
Yes. I feel the same about female bird coloration, not as flashy, but subtle and lovely α
What wonderful shots of an interesting red bird. Thank you for sharing the beautiful pictures, I wish you a nice week, Marie
Have a wonderful week Marie & I am happy you enjoyed him α
Cute! They live around our house too π
One day, I saw that he was attacking my truck’s window over and over ππ
And of course, I didn’t have my phone or camera that moment.
They have such amazing voice, do theyπ?
How amazing is that! He wasn’t in love with his reflection! α
Wow! I love it! Thank’s Cindy.
Kep well.
Elvira
Visa versa 2UX2 Elvira α
Thank’s Cindy as well.
πππ»
Strikingly beautiful! x
They are indeed and he was so friendly α
He is handsomely red π
I do not think I have seen one or especially male cardinal yet this year. Spring just started and I think I will be seeing them more soon.
You are a lucky person α
I just love cardinals! beautiful photos!
Thanks you so much! They are beautiful α
Native American lore states if a cardinal is seen, it is believed that individual will have good luck within 12 days of the sighting. Counting down for you!
Thank you so much for telling me! I will count down too α
A bonus found after our move to Ohio from Florida was seeing cardinals against the snow and/or an evergreen.
Heavenly! I would love to see this α
Your photos (zoom lens or not) reflect so much hope and happiness from the cardinal! It reminds me of Emily Dickinson’s
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul
And sings the tunes without the words
And never stops at all.”
That is one of my favorite poems of all time, along with, “This is the land the sunset washes, these are the banks of the yellow sea….” We both love Emily α
It reflects in the photos, it’s the first thing that came to mind!
Lovers of Emily find each other.
What an absolutely delightful way to put it. Sort of like Emily’s “My friends are my estate.” (which I know doesn’t come from one of her poems, but is still a favorite quote of mine π )
Beautiful captures, Cindy. They are gorgeous birds and I’ve read that they are expanding their range from the Southeast. Rarely seen when I was a kid, they are now quite common here in the Northeast. Stunning to see on a wintery day peering out of an evergreen hedge. π
So gorgeous and so happy they are doing well α
Love when the put on their darker red outfits for mating season.
You are so lucky to have them around you! α
Trees full of them daily. I am grateful for this piece of land that is home to so many species.
I would love to visit someday Eunice.
π New England is an iconic place to be certain.
Love them. They are usually seen as couples around here. Wonderful photographs. π <3
I wonder where his mate was…….
What a beautiful bird and with that bright red feather colouring, must be easy to spot (when you’re in the right location).
He definitely stood out! α
They are such red dare devils β¦. Around seed and potential mates! Love the colors at their time to year π
Such a treat for me to see one! α
My goodness what a beautiful one!
He was friendly and gorgeous! α
Beautiful π§‘
Aren’t they gorgeous creatures! α
I’m happy for that my dear Cindy.- HJ π
Thanks so much! Most appreciated & cheers to you α
Congratulations, Cindy! Iβm so happy that you found the second Cardinal.
It was truly a big thrill! Thank you α
π€ππ Handsome fellas!!
He was handsome and friendly too! Double the pleasure αα
Spectacular photos. Gorgeous little birds. We see colourful cute birds on our walks. I don’t know their names but I love seeing them up close. They aren’t afraid of me.
It is so special when wild birds aren’t afraid of us. They are smart and they know people! α
I have only ever seen a cardinal through your lens, Cindy and what a magnificent boy he is π x
Aww….. So happy to introduce you Carol and so very pleased you enjoyed him! He was a total thrill for me to see. Thank you Carol & be well α
They are such a beautiful rich color Cindy, he looks incredible. I take it they don’t normally live in your area and you just had to ‘grab’ a photograph with whatever you had…and did it well π β€οΈ ππ½ π¦
So nice of you Mark. And you are right. I didn’t have my bird camera, but that is ego, I interacted with the bird, and that was what was so very special. Thank you for knowing this α
How pleased I am to see pictures of this very beautiful bird!
He was so friendly too. It is one of those dumbfounded, slowly lift up your camera, remove the lens cap quietly, shoot before you can think, moments. Awesome! α
I have met lots of your cardinal number 1’s, but have only once seen one cardinal bird. It was in North Carolina. I was so excited! They are certainly not into camouflage!
Wonderful! They are definitely not into camo. Aren’t they simply a thrill to see. I am so happy you saw one α
wonderful!
β¨ππβπβπͺπβΎπβ―ππ²πββοΈ
Yes he is! Thank you α
Such beautiful birds. I do not know why but thought they were more common.
They are common in more northerly parts of America. In the American Southwest, they are rarely seen α
A pair of Cardinals used to visit my balcony in Hawaii when I was stationed there. I named them Frank and Gertrude and fed them bread and seed. I kinda miss them <3
I miss them for you! Love your names α
What a beautiful creature, and photos too!
I’ve never seen one of these amazing birds either.
Oh, you have now, two! β₯
Very happy you enjoyed this amazing little guy! Sometimes we value most, what we see least α
True, gal. We rarely see even sparrows nowadays, the hedgerows are all being buillt on. Humph!
We have so many cardinal families in our backyard, it’s great, Cindy.
How wonderful! I would love to meet them α
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The males have beautiful coloring which you captured wonderfully Cindy. They’re very common here.
You are lucky Brad! α
I haven’t seen a cardinal ever. My dad saw them while he was growing up in the Lower Arkansas Valley, here in Colorado. That was in the 1930s and 1940s. I don’t know if they changed their range. Habitat wise, not likely. It was agriculture then, agriculture now
It sounds like seeing them had an impact on your Dad, and on you. It was an amazing and totally unexpected experience, almost as surprising as the one I saw in Buenos Aires α
A cardinal that far west and south is a rare find indeed!
Yes. It was thrilling α
Reblogged this on Art, animals, and the earth.
What a beauty!
Congratulations on #2, Cindy. I hope he won’t be the last one. As someone who also doesn’t live in an area where cardinals occur, I think seeing once will always be special. π¦
Awesome!
My goodness, you have only seen two cardinals? I will never take cardinals for granted again. They are especially brilliant when silhouetted against the snow up here in New England. They often nest in the bushes and trees by our house.
How beautiful they must be framed by the snow! I would be thrilled to see them α
Yes, they are! It is always a thrill to see them. We have big windows in the classroom that look out onto the playground and the woods beyond. Our bird feeder on the window often has a cardinal coming in for some seeds.
Wonderful!
π
Beautiful bird with a striking color. Kudos for your photography!
So appreciated. Thank you Mary Ann α
My pleasure, Cindy. Join me for a “simple walk” today. https://drniemczura.wordpress.com/2022/03/18/enjoy-a-simple-walk/
Hi Cindy, I have the male and female who hang in my front garden. i see them from my living room window.. they are both striking. … have you seen the female?
No. I have never seen a female cardinal. I would so love to! α
He’s so bright and happy looking! And very busy. I hope you see more cardinals in your travels–they brighten our days.
He was a joy to behold! Stay safe & well Kathy α
We have a pair of cardinals who visit our yard annually, nesting nearby. In addition to how beautiful they are, their song is very distinct & lovely to listen to.
How wonderful! You are fortunate α
He’s beautiful! I hear one singing in the mornings here.
How lucky you are! Enjoy α
Great photos! Cardinals are one of my favourite birds! The red is just so gorgeous.
Wow… what a beauty! I especially love the second one. <3
Happy you enjoyed Amy & thank you! He was a very friendly little guy α
Good deal on your second Cardinal, I live in KY for many years and I so enjoyed them coming to the feeders.
I would love that! α
Wowπ²π²
That was exactly my reaction α
What a beautiful bird! Great π pictures
Thanks much Beverley. Happy you enjoyed & hope all is well with you α
All is well. Thank the Lord. π
Amen αα
Wonderful!!!!
Happy you enjoyed him & thanks for stopping by α
Wonderfulf pics. Sans lens. Doesn’t matter.
(Why did I start thinking about football?) π€
Thanks so much & cheers to you! α
How sweet bird
Yes! Lovely little guy α