Northern Cardinals
Northern Cardinal at Montrose Bird Sanctuary in Chicago, IL. This is the male version of this beautiful bird in the fall season. | BUY PRINTS
This is the type of bird and setting that has made my wife and I accidental birders. We didn't plan on falling in love with finding and searching out birds, but here we are. I came to it as a photography challenge really. I had never done any real wildlife or bird photography and I'm always looking for some new creative outlet. In the process of figuring out how to shoot these quick moving things, we have become birders. I still have a long way to go to see these flying creatures as more then something to simply catch in the viewfinder but something that I can make a beautiful picture out of. Two very different things.
Creating is not an act of catching a photo. It is an act of sharing something of yourself with the world. There is only one you, and your choices, your perspective, what you see, what you decide to not see, when you look, how your edit and frame . . . so many choices that only you can make. Creating is sharing you, not just catching a moment.
Birds are rich in symbolism over the history of art and literature. The cardinal is no exception. Many see this bird as a departed loved one or an angel coming to visit and to check to see how you are getting along. Many say they show up when you miss that loved one the most, or as an answer to your prayers.
The Cardinal shown here I actually saw a few months back at Montrose Bird Sanctuary here in Chicago. Turns out this city is one of the premier birding spots in the country due to the migratory path of so many species. The Great Lakes causes birds to come right up our shores and pause for food. The downside is millions each year are killed by windows in the city buildings. I did not know it was as dangerous for them as it is.
When you see cardinals, you may notice they seem to stay in pairs. The two in this post stayed together as I followed them around for a bit. Cardinals are different than most birds as they mate for life. Not only do they stay together and raise their young together, but they also support one another in ways you may not expect. They can be found singing duets and calling similar tunes to each other. This behavior also goes on when they are stressed, like they are supporting each other.
The male shown here in the video and pictures had a seed of some sort in him mouth that you can see. He rolled it around on his tongue for a long time. I must have been there with him for close to 5 minutes before he got bored of me and took of and he rolled it around that entire time.
The bright red color has caused them to be on so many greeting and holiday cards, calendars, posters, and everything else that they can feel pretty common at times. But when you have one near you, they are always worth watching. I think I like the subtle colors of the female more than the bright red.
Female Northern Cardinal at Montrose Bird Sanctuary in Chicago, IL.
Northern Cardinal at Montrose Bird Sanctuary in Chicago, IL.
