Northern Cardinals tend to zip on their way as soon as I spot them. This one stayed put for several minutes while I took some shots.
I wandered away, then back again a few minutes later and he was in the same spot. Based on the duller color and that behavior, I wonder if it is a young male, still figuring life out.
Northern Cardinals were zipping all around the woodland area that abuts the Cypress Wetlands wading bird rookery. Occasionally one stopped in a sunny spot for a moment.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
March 25, 2025
Northern Cardinals are plentiful in our area and I see them in all sorts of environments.
Rarely do I get an un-obstructed view.
Cypress Wetlands, Port Royal, SC
March 13, 2024
I could hear this female Northern Cardinal singing and foraging along the trail. I guess she heard me, too.
Magnolia Plantation and Gardens, Charleston, SC
April 15, 2023
Hanging on tight.
But he only stayed a moment, maybe he didn’t like that Spanish Moss blowing in his face.
Despite seeing Northern Cardinals pretty regularly, I found it a challenge to get a good image of one. This one surprised me landing over my head as I was watching warblers at ground level. He had a lot going for him: classic pose with his crest up, aligned to the sun for the catch light in his eye, his feathers tidy and uniformly colored and oh, yes, that red.
Most of the leaves had fallen off the tree where he perched giving me a clear view. Cardinals in our area tend to be quite skittish; this one didn’t seem to care that I was watching him.
