Thursday, February 2, 2012

A little visitor...

While sitting at the dining room table yesterday, I happened to glance toward the living room window where I spotted the brilliant red that can belong to only one bird here in New England...


I begged him to stay while I ran to get my camera, and he kindly obliged.

I love it when I spot one of these beauties. Cardinals were my mom's favorite birds, so I naturally think of her when one visits.

It's been a very strange winter here in New England as we've only had to shovel the walkway and end of the driveway once thus far. The lack of snow coupled with warmer than normal temperatures have made for quite a pleasant winter for this non-snow/cold lover.

However, we were hit with a mega snowstorm the week before Halloween, when the trees were still covered with leaves. The weight of the snow on the full foliage branches was just too much. In addition to losing major branches from multiple trees, we also lost entire trees in some cases, including a maple next to our driveway, an oak in the side yard, and yet another in the back yard.

This maple tree that sits in our front yard also lost some major branches, but it could have been so much worse. I'm thankful that it is still standing, providing a perfect spot for the cardinals to visit whenever they'd like. Happy February, everyone.... Donna

13 comments:

Dixie said...

Maybe he was waiting to see what the Groundhog would say about the spring... it will be here soon...

keep warm. Dixie

rosekraft said...

What a beautiful bird - and so obliging to stick around while you got the camera!
I miss the cardinals - there are none here in California, but I grew up on the East Coast and remember how special it was to see one.
Sorry to hear that Halloween snowstorm caused so much damage around your home...
Rose

Joanne Kennedy said...

Hi Donna, Happy to hear from you! What a beautiful bird! I've never seen one in person. We don't have them here.

Funny you think of your mom whenever you see a cardinal because I do the same thing with humming birds. My mom loved them. My sisters and I say we think she comes back dressed as a humming bird to check in on us. So whenever we see one we say "Hi Mom" or "There's mom".

Val said...

I love Cardinals too. Who doesn't love Cardinals, right? :) I'm glad this one visited when you had a camera nearby, and I'm glad you're enjoying the break from the weather. xox♥

sheri said...

Oh, I haven't seen one of those beauties in a long time. We get a few beautiful (and loud!) Blue Jays.

Happy February!

Sally@threeblondeboyz said...

After such horrible weather, I guess your new little friend was there to cheer you up! hugs, Sally @ Enlightenment for the sleepy xxx

Susan said...

Hi Donna! LOVED your cardinal photos. They came out great----quite outstanding, I'd say.

Hasn't it been a strange winter? I keep waiting for a Big One to hit but pretty soon we'll be moving into spring. I now really do believe in global warming. Susan

sandy said...

I just found your lovely blog while doing some surfing and so glad I did.

I love the cardinals too and we have tons of them here. They come to the feeder everyday and there are probably six couples that fill their little bird tummies.

I'm so sorry you lost your Dad. He looks like such a sweetee. I have a shirt from my Dad too. (I lost him 12 years ago). I inherited one of his cars and put his cowboy boots in the trunk and kept them there. I miss him too!

xo

Sharon said...

Great post! I love cardinals too!

Carm said...

Cardinals are my favorite. Some believe they are a loved one that has passed. I read that in a book/mag about angels. A very large one showed up after my son Andy becae an angel.

Jean Tuthill said...

Hi Donna, Glad to see your post...I love the cardinals, too. Such a beautiful bird, I love their brightness and their songs are beautiful! I am happy for this non-winter, too! I haven't seen this kind of winter before in New England!

Elaine said...

Wow what brillant color on that cardinal! I bet Baby loved watching her as much as you did!

Anonymous said...

Isn't he beautiful. Lovely pictures Donna. So nice to see you back. I've missed you.
Mary Ellen