Mr. Cardinal

for those of you who don't have them or have never seen them

they are the state bird of

Viginia

they share the parenting

and male cardinals are very good dads

when the babies start to fly

the male stays with them and brings them to the feeders to eat

I have watched them for years and always marvel at their tenderness with their young

but as tender as they are

they can be just as fierce when threatened

by either the bluejays or the robins

many a war has gone on outside the house

when these three come together.......

these photos

bad photos

are from last year

I noticed today how very busy he seemed to be

maybe a nest has been made and he's either helping or feeding his mate

the young are quite ugly until the feathers grow in and the males get the mask

they have many calls

but my favourite is

 tom-ay-to burrito laredo

!!!!!!!!!