The wild cardinals of Dearborn Street

The hungry chicks waiting for mama.


Last winter we kept up with feeding the birds and it has really paid off. All winter long we watched "Mr and Mrs Cardinal" feed outside our window. Mr's bright red feathers and Mrs's red crown and yellow beak were welcomed sights as the bare and white winter dragged on. And I got to keep a promise to Drew. I kept telling him that when spring arrived they would surely build a nest in our yard to lay baby cardinal eggs. And by golly they did.

I first noticed the nest when I saw Mrs (now Mama) dart into the bushes right on our back porch. I peeked in and sure enough she was sitting somewhat precariously on her eggs. Papa has proved to be loyal, trading shifts with her and coming back whenever she calls. She usually uses a high pitched peep to call him when we go out back. He comes flying in and tries to scare us with squawks from the crabapple tree.

After a few minutes they realize we are no threat and tend to the newly hatched chicks.
We check on them at least once a day and because we are out there so much I'm hopeful we will get to see their first flight.

Never thought I would be into birds but these co-habitating cardinals have captured our hearts!