
There is something akin to amazement every time I look out at the cardinals in my front yard. They perch in the dormant kudzu vines wrapped around the pine trees and hang out on the feeders. No matter how many of them I have photographed over the last 17 years, I never tire of seeing them. It was very rare to see a cardinal in the part of Texas in which I lived, and to see them every day, all day long, year round is a joy that does not fade.

The cardinals and the black-capped chickadees will be here year round. My December 2020 newsletter from Cornell Labs ran an article about how the birds that remain in the north survive winter: don’t freeze and don’t starve. The chickadee’s feet are at a temperature of about 30 F while the core body temperature is higher. The arterial blood flows to the feet from the body, warming them, and the veins carry the cooled blood back to the body core. They generally sleep huddled together in a sheltering branch to remain warm over night. When you stop to think about it, is that not a most amazing design?
In the winter, birds must take in higher amounts of nutrition in order to generate enough heat to stay warm. Feeders are an important part of that, but so is having a bird-friendly winter yard. Plants or shrubs that produce berries in winter are good options. Apparently, the cardinals and the chickadees prefer to shelter among the mix of brush and kudzu vines along the edge of the hillside.

Another important need in winter is fresh water. There are no nearby fresh water supplies (creeks, rivers) so a bird bath is needed, and of course, when it gets below freezing…On cold mornings like today (30 F at 8 a.m.) I do not use the hose and instead dump the ice and refill using a jug of water from the kitchen. It is supposed to be in the 50s today, and sunny and clear for the next couple of days. Birds and I say “Yeah!”
Scruffy took advantage of the sun to take care of her morning ablutions. The sycamore tree leaves are all gone and only the seed balls remain…looking like a forlorn Christmas tree the day after.




I too love the large amount of Cardinals we have here in Arkansas. We have a pond and two sources of flowing water where the birds in our area drink. It is going to be a good day here in the high fifties today. Our roller coaster weather of up and down temperatures.
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Wonderful about your flowing water sources! We only have those when it rains…and all the water rushes down hill at once. I hope your lovely weather is as good as ours–I am going to be outside tidying up. π
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Nice day here. I was outside several times.
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I tidied, hung new bird feeders, raked a bit, and had a fire in the firepit. It was wonderful.
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Great ππ
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I’ve always enjoyed seeing the brightly colored Cardinals, but my favorite is the yellow finch! We have bird feeders set up by our side window, and I never tire of seeing our daily visitors. Enjoy your day – and your weather! Pretty nice here today, too!
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The yellow finch is beautiful. When I first began feeding, they would show up about the same time as the bluebirds and I must have taken hundreds of pictures. They have not been back in years though.
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I wonder why. Sometimes if I “wonder” about something and I ask a Missouri Dept of Conservation employee, they will know all about it. It is just curious to me as to why they are not around. I do know the yellow finch like smaller trees.
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Well there you go; I should ask the right person why they are not here anymore! Thank you for the suggestion.
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Cardinals are special every time I see them. Lucky you to see them so often. The birds must love you for bringing fresh water. Glad it is up to the 50s for you and Scruffy! Mild here – may get up to 70.
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I am lucky–and we used to think it was good luck to see a redbird and you got to make a wish. I think I might get one of those bird baths with the solar powered spray to keep the water moving. It was recommended in my newsletter. I miss those 70 degree days we used to have for Christmas in Texas. π
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A lovely read, Suz, especially after a night of Storm Bella rocking Ireland and beyond.
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Thank you, Jean. The weather has indeed been rolicky for the season. I hope all is well there.
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Oh just a passing storm but calm now!!
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