Lookie what I found (cuteness alert!)

[indybirds]

I was weeding around the house this evening and I kept hearing this "peep peep peep!" noise. So I gently pulled back a branch of the shrub and there they were. Cardinal babies! Of course I didn't touch them or hang around too long. Wouldn't want mama to abandon them. But I did run in quickly for the camera and snap a few pics! Aren't they TOO darling?

[indybirds]

I was thinking of putting a feeder right over there by the bush for mama and the babies. But do you think that would scare her away? I have about 7 feeders in the yard already and I noticed she uses quite a few of them.

[mamalovesrico]

They are sooo cute and one yet to hatch. Just my opinion, but I don't think I would hang a feeder close to her. Other birds will come to it and she'll think they are a threat to the babies. Just a thought.

[indybirds]

Originally Posted by mamalovesrico

They are sooo cute and one yet to hatch. Just my opinion, but I don't think I would hang a feeder close to her. Other birds will come to it and she'll think they are a threat to the babies. Just a thought.

I never thought of that, thanks! She can continue to come to the other feeders. Maybe I'll just drop off a seed or two on the ground over there occasionally for her.

Oh I feel SO much better now that I went outside and waited for her to come back. It would be just my luck that taking pics caused her to leave forever. But WHEW! Nope! I sat in the driveway and watched as she returned to the babies. I heard them peeping in excitement. I just want to snuggle them! But I know I can't.

[Regina U.]

They are sooooo cute!!!!!!


Regina

[indybirds]

When I first pulled the branch back, I think they thought I was mama or something, because they were sitting there with their little beaks just'a wide open! Stretching up as far as they could.... Peepin' and carryin' on like your average hungry little babies.

Ahhh.... They just give me the warm fuzzies. It doesn't take much to thrill me, does it? :icon_mrgr

[Roto4]

How adorable how can you help them without making the momma bird leave them or is that just something that's not really true.........???????????

[indybirds]

Originally Posted by Roto4

How adorable how can you help them without making the momma bird leave them or is that just something that's not really true.........???????????

Well, I think as long as I keep all the feeders full, they won't need my help. I see momma and papa at the front feeder all the time. It's the closest feeder to them.

And if the big hawk comes back and gets near those babies, I'm going to have to run him off this time. (Or her). I do love seeing the hawk, but I don't want it eating those little babes!

[smallonion]

They are absolutely gorgeous. I'd be thrilled if I saw them in person. Two weeks ago, I did see baby birds in person - baby British robins (smaller than American robins, but identical, pretty much). They were gorgeous - a little older than your newborn cardinals (it looks like there's an egg in there still not hatched) and there were six of them!

A few years ago, another mother bird nested in my in-laws' shed. There was a window on the shed and if you tapped on it, the babies would open their little mouths wide. Of course, tempting as it was, I only did it once! Baby birds are wonderful - such a sign of spring hope!

[Franciscus]

They are cute. When I was living in Holland years ago we had an old pump in the yard for decoration. A pair of birds similar to chickadees nested in there. We could not see the babies but were there when they fledged, it was a real thrill for us.