Little Cardinal
Yesterday, a Cardinal flew into the glass of the sliding door.
He was addled. I was afraid he would die.
I posted Carson and Nevin to watch for the outdoor cats who were prowling around
And I prayed that the red bird would gather his wits about him and fly away.
I gave him some time, then slipped out onto the deck and took his picture.
I hoped that my presence would spur him to escape.
It didn’t.
I came back in to commiserate with Eldest Daughter concerning his fate.
The little boys were divided in their opinions.
Carson worried.
Nevin banged on the window, trying to scare him into movement.
About 20 minutes had passed, and he still sat there in a stupor.
I knew that I needed expert advice.
So I called Certain Man and asked what I should do.
“Should I put him on the platform feeder? What should I do?”
“Put him on the far side of one of the hanging feeders where the cat cannot reach him.”
Now that was great advice. Why didn’t I think of that?
I eased open the sliding glass door and snuck around the edge.
He looked up with unblinking black eyes.
Suddenly, he spread his wings and got airborne.
He wobbled and made funny flight patterns
Then took the very first branch he came to.
We watched, rejoicing from the warmth of the family room
And he settled in for a good long rest.
Such a beautiful bird. I’m so glad that he recovered.
Delaware Grammy 
oh dear that sounds strange you are not putting moonshine in the bird bath are you?? LOL Glad he regained his senses
I love these wonderful ending stories.
My sister Miss Brooks must see this post! She is a cardinal lover. That is a wonderful picture up close.
We have birds fly into our front window and it horrifies me as I watch to see if they are still intact. I know exactly how you agonized about this. I am glad it had a happy ending!
Did I ever tell you about the cardinal that used to sit on a tree branch in front of our house and fly ENDLESSLY into one of our second story windows. I’m talking for hours at a time, day after day after day, for WEEKS!! The next year we had another one (or maybe the same one came back!) Eventually this one added a little variety to his head-banging routine – after banging into the window in front of the house for half an hour or so, he would fly over top of the house to a tree in back. From there he would fly endlessly into Anthony’s bedroom window, then up over the house to the tree in front, continuing his head banging into the front window, then up over the house again to the back tree and Anthony’s window. Have I made my point? We all, especially Anthony, thought we were going to go CRAZY. We were so ready for some illegal shooting. I finally called some government wildlife agency to ask for advice on what to do, but the cardinal must have heard me, because shortly after that he left and never came back!!!
You must have a clean window! I’m glad he is okay.
There are advantages to having dirty windows then! Beautiful picture BEG, sweet story.
wonderful story. how great that he recovered.
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:His eye is on the cardinal, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the cardinal, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,I sing because I’m free,For His eye is on the cardinal,And I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;His eye is on the cardinal, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the cardinal, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,I sing because I’m free,For His eye is on the cardinal,And I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;His eye is on the cardinal, and I know He watches me;His eye is on the cardinal, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I’m happy,I sing because I’m free,For His eye is on the cardinal,And I know He watches me.
Maybe you need to put some plastic stickies or suncathers on your glass like I do so birds don’t fly into the window. I like that shot of your birdy. My Aaron calls then Fire birds.
those cardinals look so stellar against the snow!
thanks for letting me stay so long over Christmas. I really enjoyed my time. And i have to disagree, my favorite is WAY cuter than the turtle š
Thanks for your comment. I appreciate your thinking.
Has your ankle and foot recovered?
Take care!