One in the Bush!

Date: April 30, 2007
Time: 2:00-2:15 p.m.

Weather Report: Fair, 60°F, 50% Humidity, Winds: SW @ 5 mph; feels like 58°F.

Location: The backyard of my home in the upstate New York City of Rochester.

Bird Species/Markings/Features: 1 adult Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)--1 female

Sights/Sounds/Activities: I finally took the opportunity to attempt photographing the small Cardinal's nest which had been built in the shrub outside our front door. (See pic to the left).

Notes:It would appear as though we now have a small cardinal family taking up home outside our front door. While I had been leery of taking a digital picture from the interior of the bush (in which the nest and female are vaguely visible), I did try to get "inside" for some visual evidence. AS you can see from the two pics below. The female Cardinal's beak is clearly visible at the center.

Anne and I also realized that by trying to view the interior of the bush from atop the steps, one could see the back of the bird. I took a quick peek, but avoided taking a picture as I wasn't sure the bird knew I was there, and (again) I did not want to startle her. Anne (being more brazen than I in this regard) did try to observe the nest from behind, at which point the bird flew from the nest startling Anne instead!