Wordless Wednesday-"Baby Cardinal taken at Kukulski's Residence, Cary, IL"

Richard, thanks so much....I heard a little chirping as I walked down my sidewalk and here she was, in the tree!  I never saw a baby cardinal before.  I was so excited!  I took some movies of her and one of her siblings, too:-)   Maybe I will post one of those on another wordless Wednesday!

June, isn't that the truth?  I was thrilled, honestly and I also got what I think was her first flight in a little movie!

Carol, thanks so much.   I was standing there watching her and taking pictures for a few minutes before I even realized she was a Cardinal.  I saw that little "mohawk" on the top of her head...which is SO cute....looks like she just got up and is having a bad hair day!  Anyway, I noticed that and the slight hint of red and then saw MOM and DAD close by and another baby hopping down my sidewalk towards me so it was confirmed:-)

Jennifer, I just got lucky that day.  Heard the chirping and looked to my right and there she was in one of my pine trees...right next to me.  Of course I zoomed in to get a closer shot and was so happy this one came out nicely.  They were just adorable!

Danny, I agree...seeing a baby up this close and being able to watch it's first attempts at flying is a true gift!

Gene, that is true.  At first I did not even notice the hint of red or the tuft.  It was SO darn cute!  I was surprised to see babies in September.

My pleasure, Sandy and thanks for the compliment, too:-)

Sharon, I know, it was lucky and I had never seen a baby cardinal either.  I'd love to see some of the photos you took of the birds at your feeders!.

Sharon, GREAT photo, thanks so much for posting it here...are they doves?  Beautiful and so sweet!  I love that photo....where did you happen to come accross them?

Steve...she was very close by and watching me like a hawk;-)  I did use the zoom so I would not alarm them, though.

Myrl, yes, Cardinals sure are stunning birds, especially against the snow as you got a chance to see!  I am sure you have other beautiful birds in California that we do not have and I would love to see the photos.  Please post them here if you have any:-) I did not really think about if the males had the bright red color at birth or not and did not even realize it was a cardinal until I noticed the feathers standing up on his head and then saw the faint red coloring.  Most baby birds are more neutral when young to help protect them from predators.  I wonder if this was a male or female or if you can even tell when they are so young?

Doreen, thanks so much...and it sure is a gift to be at the right place at the right time and WITH your camera, too!  Mom was definitely very close by and keeping an eye on me but did not get too protective...I was trying to be very calm, quiet and moved very slowly.  I *wanted* to just stay there and keep watching and photographing them but did not want to make Momma Bird too nervous...she was right in the middle of flying lessons!

I know, Cheryl, so sweet!  Thanks so much for stopping by:-)