cardinal love

I love cardinals.  Although I've never seen one in person, (they're found in North and South America), there's something about this little bird that fascinates me. Last week I found a website where you can watch little videos of different birds from around the world. Here are the cardinal clips. And I believe they're the State bird of seven states in America, so I guess I'm not alone in my Cardinal Love. They even appear in my favourite song by Sufjan Stevens, 'Casimir Pulaski Day.'

Over the last month I've found three cardinals on my op-shopping adventures:

a page from the 'Golden Treasury of natural history' book, 1952

a vintage Crown Lynn plate with a cardinal on a pine branch.

thick fabric with bird panels, including these cardinals

Because I've only seen pictures of them, I'm starting to think of these birds as being quite magical. Much in the way moles, squirrels and raccoons are... hmm. Perhaps I need to travel more?

Comments

[kirsten]

that's funny, i've always thought they look very pointy and ... harsh. have you seen the ty beanie plush cardinal?

[amanda]

Oh!! You know, we see cardinals quite regularly when the season is right here. And yet, still...there's something kind of magical about them. The color perhaps? Or that the mate is always nearby? Whatever the reason, whenever we DO see them, it's an occassion worthy of calling everyone around to see. So I would say that your cardinal love is quite warranted. ;)

[carol]

Cardinals are my favorite as well- in fact, the state we live in it is our named our "state bird".

I love in the early morning when I look out my bedroom window and see one on my neighbors roof with the blue aky behind and hear the males call...I'll even go outside and mimick the call and he will respond!

They are just the flashes of red you see in the bushes, trees, and sky that make you feel so connected and excited about nature.

What a thoughtful post.

[Christy / Not Hip]

Virginia, my home state, is one of those seven. They truly are beautiful, especially if you are lucky enough to spy one on a snowy day, the way they are often portrayed in pictures.

[rhiannon]

I agree, they do look sort of magical, and maybe majestic? I've also not seen one in real life.
Can I add badgers to the list? I've always tried to imagine badgers in real life, but struggle to imagine them without a little glasses or knickerbockers like in the books. haha. A bit like this:(http://www.mostlymouses.com/products/large/largeimages/mrbadger.jpg)

[rhiannon]

hmm without the ) at the end of the link of course!

[meghan]

I must agree that cardinals are lovely to look at, but they are really quite mean! We had some nesting in our yard last year, and once their eggs hatched, the male would swoop down at our dog whenever she was outside! It was actually kind of funny to see our big 70-some lb dog running from a little bird!

[katie]

Squirrels, racoons and cardinals as magical? Hmm, I will have to try to think of them that way instead of as commonplace. :) Although all are fun to spot, especially the Cardinals. And I always get a special thrill from finding a girl cardinal, as they are duller in color and harder to notice.

[laeroport]

My favorite apron is one of my grandmother's that is a bird print with many cardinals. We've enjoyed watching them this week in the snow - the contrast is beautiful. ;)

[Dawn Pietzsch]

When I see or think of a cardinal it reminds me of my mom. That was her favorite bird. I have one figurine of one that I keep as a memorial to her. They are especially gorgeous to see in leafless trees in the winter time. Here in Tennessee our backyards are full of them.

[amisha]

you must come visit me and then you will no longer think of squirrels as magical... they are quite vicious, always attacking, throwing nuts, and trying to run into the front wheel of my bike while i am commuting to work :)
i do love cardinals, though... it's something about the color, so bright in the trees. and it's one of the 2 birds i can identify, the other being owls :)

[Stacey]

I'll need to send you some photos of the cardinals that visit my yard. We've had freakishly super cold weather for Texas this month and have been tossing out seed to keep the red beauties happy. My grandmother loved cardinals and I have such vivid memories of her "singing" to them, while out in her very green and lawny Illinois backyard enjoying a nice martini and blowing her cigarette smoke out her nostrils. Marguerite was very talented that way.

[kimberlee]

Everyone has so much to say about this lovely red bird! cardinals look striking in winter time; a bright red splotch against an endless white background bringing such contrast to the stark landscape. The long minnesota winters always make one greatful for colour.:)

I grew up with all kinds of squirrels living in the ravine behind our house... grey squirrels, red squirrels, black squirrels, ground squirrels... and I still think they are magical.

[heidi]

i'll have to send you a pic of the crdinals that nest in our back tree every summer!! They are my favorite to watch. they are so animated and contrast with the green in the trees so magnificiantly!

[Helen]

I've never seen one either, but they are majestic looking creatures.

I recently bought my friend, Drew a red cardinal ornament from the op shop - it was wonderful in a slightly tacky 50s way - I shall keep my eyes peeled for another one! :)

[Martha]

Here in the Northeast USA cardinals are not a rarety, but I have always shared your feelings about how special they are. In part I think I feel that way because you almost always see them in pairs, male and female, and because they are so stunning in contrast with a snowy backdrop. They come often to the birdfeeder for their favorite- sunflower seeds. The animal that is not indigenous to my area that I find so magical and endearing is the hedgehog!

[Dana]

Our state, West Virginia (USA) calls the cardinal our state bird. We see them here all the time. I wish you could see one in person...the male is truely beautiful.

[Lori]

What a lovely post.
I find it a treat to see a cardinal.
I remember visiting friends in countryside and seeing one and being so excited.
It wasnt as exciting to them because they see it all the time.
I still get excited seeing the little Oregon Junco's and other cute birds that come around when we have seed out (way up high in a birdfeeder that is cat proof LOL!)

[carolyn]

I love Cardinals although I also have never seen one.

[Jo]

Wow! That was kind of spooky. I have just been on-line browsing for some cardinal birds to put in some Christmas wreaths and I was just thinking how much I loved them and voila! And I haven't lost the plot on making the Christmas wreaths in January, long story, but I'm forward planning. Lovely post!

[mimulus]

cardinals are indeed wonderful...great op shop finds!

[Plumtickled]

I love cardinals too! I lived in Hawaii as a little girl and would feed the birds by leaving bird seed in our yard on a plank of wood. My Mom and I would sit and watch just to see if a cardinal or a "carrot bird" would show up. I have no idea why I called them that but actually still do. It is also my Mom's favorite bird....... her favorite color is red! Thanks for posting about them...... it made my day!

[Jess]

There are a bevy of cardinals that hang out by the birdfeeder at the library that I work at (here in Texas). The feeder is hung in front of a big window that looks out into the woods. Yesterday there were at least three bright red males sitting in the grey, bare trees, waiting their turn at the feeder. It was truly breathtaking-- I wish I had a picture to share :)