For the past few weeks, ever since we sprung our clocks ahead, I've had the pleasure of hearing a very loud songbird outside my window. Honestly, I have never given a squat about what sounds birds make...until just a few years ago...and now I might add, I'm even a bit fascinated by them. I've learned to identify just a few, one being the Cardinal, and I knew that's what I was looking for...and I found him...but he's always in the highest branch of the tallest tree! I did get a decent picture, on my third attempt. I used my 270mm lens, took the photo at the highest resolution my camera can manage, and cropped it closer for a better look. Here are a few more interesting facts about cardinals...I pulled these from the
National Geographic website. (there's an audio on their site that will drive a cat nuts!)
Cardinals have about two dozen songs.
Only males sport the brilliant red plumage for which their species is known. The color is a key to mating success—the brighter the better. Females are an attractive tan/gray.
Cardinals are fairly social and join in flocks that may even include birds of other species. During mating season, however, groups dissolve into pairs. Male birds feed their monogamous partners as they incubate clutches of eggs—typically three per season.
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