One of my blogging friends, from Brilliant Viewpoint, suggested that I put water out for my backyard birds. I told her that the doves like to get on the pool float and drink water. I said I’d post a photo, so here it is! FYI, I also ordered a bird bath from Amazon, but so far no birds have used it.
I was distressed the other day because it was a rare day that I didn’t see Red at all. He made an appearance the next day. Talk about relief! However, he didn’t stick around like he usually does and I didn’t see Mrs.
I read about cardinals and their mating and nesting times. I believe they have a nest in a Teddy Bear cactus (cholla) in the wash behind our house. I’ve seen them fly in and out. It’s a very protected space with the prickly plant offering a barrier to predators.
It’s the right time of year for Red and Mrs. to have babies. They start building their nest as early as January and start nesting and laying eggs as early as April and as late as August. June seems ideal. The female builds the nest, lays the eggs and incubates them. The male forages for food. Part of the mating ritual is the male feeds the female. I’ve seen a lot of that lately. Red looks like he’s kissing Mrs. but he’s giving her a nice sunflower seed — one of their favorites.
Red feeding the Mrs.
Here’s a cholla in the neighborhood that has a nest tucked away inside it. You can see how protected the nest would be. You can’t see the nest, unless you’re in person, looking closeup.
Other interesting things I learned about Cardinals: They mate for life. The female lays from one to five eggs, usually three. She may lay eggs three times a year. Also, the male feeds her and the babies up until two weeks after they leave the nest. The males sing or chirp loudly to define their territory and to ward off other cardinals.
Yes, I think I’m not seeing much of Red and Mrs. because they are starting a family.
Here’s a video of Red and Mrs. You can see Red feeding Mrs. a sunflower!
Here’s to week two post surgery with a post op appointment on Friday!
What are you looking forward to this week?
So sweet EA! I hope the babies once they fly stay close by and add to the cardinal family in your yard. My week holds a dental appt- the last one that I will have in WA before I move. I really like my hygienist here. She’s going to be hard to replace 🙁
Thanks! I wonder if the babies stick around or go find their own territory? When we moved here we did have a juvenile cardinal. Maybe he grew up to be Red? How much longer do you have before your move? Yes, a good hygenist is valuable to have.
I know crow families stay together, but not much about other bird types after fledglings leave the nest! I’m leaving in a few months…
I will have to do more reading. I do know hawks teach their fledglings for a couple years on how to hunt, etc. You have lots of time to prepare for your move and to say goodbye to Washington.
An amazing video, so we could see Red feeding the Mrs. I love the picture of both of them and those Doves – beautiful! You have the perfect float, it doesn’t look too bound, so they can stand nicely. It’s al lovely moment. Thanks for sharing info about the Cardinals, I did not know this. Oh, and thanks for the shout out, that was nice. Soon, you can do a documentary on Cardinals.
I’m so glad you enjoyed my post, photos and video. I hope I’m right that Red and Mrs. are making a nest and that we’ll have baby Cardinals soon! Otherwise, they aren’t hanging out as much because my husband isn’t feeding them often enough! The pool float is from Costco and we’ve had it for years. I’m glad the doves use it!
Loving this, so sweet. My week? Hoping to score some fresh local strawberries to use to make a pie. I dream big, eh? 😉
I like you plans. I wish I could enjoy your pie. I cooked dinner the other night — hamburgers. It wore me out!
I am looking forward to the tree guys finally boring out the trunk! They are doing it Friday.
We have a bird bath, and it has become the local pool for all sorts of birds. Doves, Cardinals, Blue Jays, Falcons, Crows…..they all get in and splash around. They splash all the water out with their wings so we are filling it pretty much everyday. Then they all mosey over to the bird feeder and treat it like an all-you-can-eat buffet. We love the wildlife, but safflower seeds can be pricy.
So far, one dove ventured into the bird bath. We had a huge storm last night and it’s still raining, so the birds have plenty of water. My husband had to take over bird feeding while I’m laid up. He isn’t nearly as generous with the seed as I am!
That’s sweet! Here’s to some baby reds coming soon. That cholla looks like a smart place to nest!
Hope you have a great recovery week!
Thank you! I’m hoping the nesting is why I’ve seen very little of Red and Mrs. Hopefully that’s it. They are displaying some of the behaviors.
Is that fresh water under the pool float? I’d hate to think your birds are drinking chemicals.
Cardinals are so lovely. We often have pairs at our house as well.
Fascinating cactus…
The pool is chlorinated. But I put in a birdbath with fresh water and I saw doves using it instead of the pool today.
That’s good. If you’re going to attract birds, fresh water is a must. Especially in your climate.
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Yes, I agree. We had a huge thunder and lightening storm last night and it’s still raining today! The birds are out and about enjoying it.
Just such a treat to follow your birdies! Glad you are enjoying them and getting past the early post surgery stage!
Thank you! Yes my birds keep me entertained, especially while laid up!
Love the pic of Red feeling the Mrs. I think it’s one of my favorites of him. Less about him and more about them. Ha, ha.
It’s a pretty picture of the happy couple! I am so hoping that there will be little reds flying around soon. Otherwise, their lack of hanging out has to do with my husband not feeding them as well as I do! I’d hear Red sing and I was trained to be out there filling the bird feeder.
Oh, you gotta get your husband with it!!! He can’t let the future little Red’s down. Ha, ha.
That’s what I think, too! Unfortunately, he has a job besides looking after me and Red. He’s on the phone working from home when Red calls!
How nice that they picked the area around your yard in which to start a family. They must feel pretty safe… and who wouldn’t with that scary cholla protecting them? Chollas are really pretty but I wouldn’t get within three feet of one 🙂 .
Exactly. My husband said the cholla aren’t called jumping cactus for nothing!
There is no way I would get near that Cholla It looks so dangerous. The feeding seeds is so cute
Cholla is also known as “jumping cactus.” They throws balls of thorns and spikes all around them. We end up with them stabbing through our tennis shoes!
That is definitely a no then 😲
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Aww, a very cute video. I hope your appointment goes well dear friend. All the best.
Great video!! Hope you’re feeling better everyday…sending healing hugs to you!
Thanks for putting a smile on my face this morning!
I love your pool, and the doves on the float are adorable. And Red and the Mrs. are adorable too. Thanks for sharing the info. and video.
I’m glad you enjoyed my post. I can’t wait to get cleared by my doctor to jump into our pool! A lot of my photography of birds are taken from the pool bar which puts me at eye level with the ground across the pool.
Hope it’s not much longer a wait, and a pool bar alone sounds sublime. 🙂
I don’t know if you can see by the picture but there are stools under water along the bar. I’ll find out Friday when I can get in the pool.
I can see them, and good luck!
We have lived in this house for four years, after moving from Palm Springs. We used the pool bar one time with friends who also moved from Palm Springs. But I used it a lot for my photography class!
So nice I also feed the Birds and love them 🙂