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I’ve been watching this pair of Cardinals at the feeder for the past few days. It didn’t take long to figure out they are a “couple.”

They come by usually early evening and do the same thing. He sits at the feeder – she sits on top of the feeder, and he feeds her!

They are both looking a bit scraggly which I hope is only part of their molting process and not a bad case of mites, etc. I believe these two may even have a nest somewhere fairly near the feeder.

Sorry the pictures aren’t super clear but I had to take them through the window so I wouldn’t disturb “dinner.”

You can find out more about Cardinals here. I can tell you for sure that if you want to attract Cardinals, sunflower seeds are the trick. You can see this last bag of seed had a LOT of sunflowers in the mix.

Found this “couple” just awhile ago on one of my backyard feeders. Unusual to catch both the male and female at the same place and time – long enough to get the camera anyway!!

He seemed a little concerned at my presence and then decided things looked safe enough so, back to the bird seed!

Happy June!!

Before the next rain, snow, sleet event!

The sun was too bright for a great picture and this little female Cardinal looks like she could use a pair of sunglasses! Nice to see trees budding though. I’m really ready for some color around here!!!

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Choose from feeders and food, birdbaths – and don’t forget to check out the “deal of the day” via the link at the right of this post. Birds need our help more in winter than in warm weather months.

Feeders they located and count on for food during the summer will be important to their survival once cold temperatures arrive.

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Looks like it is hot and muggy enough this August in North Carolina to prompt some new visitors to the Hummingbird feeder:

These two butterflies hovered around the feeder for nearly an hour. One seemed to get the understanding of how to get to the juice a lot faster than the other!

Caught a view of this little visitor early this morning checking out the “breakfast bar” at a local Magnolia…

There were about eight of them just meandering around – Cato was a bit surprised to see them trotting along the fence line!

Happy Sunday!

I have to keep my distance a bit from the goslings. They are getting used to seeing me and know that I will throw food for them so they come running – which does NOT make the parents very happy.

I took this first picture from around the corner of the house before they saw me…

Then I was spied…

…and off and running they came. This is making for some tough strategic planning around the house and yard when it is time for Cato to head outside. And a belated happy first birthday to him this past weekend. He’s being very good with the goslings – Lord, thank you for the assistance!

The good news for the lake, 1.25″ of rain last Sunday – but what a dreary week that has followed. One flash of sun per day is about all I’m getting which is not great for taking pictures but here is a little update on the goose nest/hatching…

Out of 5 nests on the lake this year, 3 nests are now vacant and the new “residents” can be seen around the property – two groups of 6 goslings and one group of 5. Hard to tell how many will survive to adulthood. One out of 6 was the average for last season.

And so far, all 6 still present and accounted for!

The family had just returned from a “little” walk around the 15 acre pasture next door. I wonder how the little ones keep up on those tiny little legs!

There was a nasty looking raccoon here last weekend. I hope it is long gone or it could spell trouble for the geese…

And here they are on their very first birthday!

I think one or two hatched yesterday and although you can’t see them all in this picture, 6 goslings are now out and about, but “Daisy” is not allowing them off the nest just yet.

It was a bit chilly this morning in Central North Carolina so Daisy will continue to keep her nest intact and will make sure her children have a safe place to sleep.

I noticed she seemed to wait this morning until that little spot of sunlight came through the trees before she stood up and “revealed” her nest and goslings. They seem to like the warmth of the sun and for the moment, continue to huddle together outside the eggs much as they did before they hatched!

More pictures later this week!