This early spring continues to forge ahead here, and a pair of cardinals decided to pose for a portrait yesterday, while chowing down on sunflower seeds. Later in the day their new fledgeling introduced itself to me as well, but from a safe distance. I’ll see if I can get the three of them together in the near future. Meanwhile, here are the adults.
(I actually photographed them separately, within a few minutes of each other, but reversed the female and added her to the image of the male to be able to bring them together here.)
krikitarts 
very cute in a cartoonish kind of way! Beautiful photo
It had been raining steadily and they were both quite wet, which greately added to what you so aptly describe as their cartoonish cuteness. It served to plaster his crest down to the back of his head, but I was fascinated to what it did to hers–what a “do!”
awwwwww! :))))
Thanks!
Lucky you, what a photo! I have never seen them before – they are gorgeous! :)
By the way, the female has the better hair ;)
Not necessarily. He may have just slicked his down for the photo shoot. He actually has a really magnificent pointy red crest. I’ll see if I can send you another photo of him, since they’re new to you.
Wow, awesome editing. I never would have known!! And I love the mohawk hairstyle :)
They aren’t at what most folks would call their best when they’re wet like that, but it makes for really interesting alternate impressions. I think I’ll have to do a follow-up when they are dry and customary.
You shouldn’t have given away your secret
No secret, David. I don’t do this often, but if I alter an image by putting something in that wasn’t there when I made the original exposure, I’ll tell you right up front.
I sure hope they weren’t talking to you because it’s rather rude to talk with their mouths full. They are quite a couple!
If they were , it’s probably a good thing that I couldn’t hear them, because I probably wouldn’t be able to print what they were saying;it was most likely way beyond rude. They’re shy and alert enough that they probably were quite aware that I was on the other side of the window, even though I hid most of myself behind a blanket.
Ah, so that’s your secret. Unless I’m behind a one-way window, cardinals are elusive for me. They are really skittish.
Great editing idea… you can’t tell.
Thanks! They seemed to want to be together, but they were taking turns at the seeds, so I thought I’d lend a helping hand.
A pair of punk rockers!
You could be right, Finn! I can’t help but wondering, though, what would be their favorite music to groove to. Mayhap they’re a bit retro and like — dare I say it? — the Yardbirds? Or maybe Sheryl Crow? Paul McCartney’s Wings?
Beautiful!
Thank you, Meanderer!
Well done bringing both photos together! They sure are an amusing pair.
Thank you, Fergie! I hope to get a full-family portrait with offspring in the near future…
Well you did a good job! They look great together and very funny. I also like the hairstyle :)
Funny–yes. Every decent shot of each of them caught the bird with its beak full of sunflowe seed. Probably not the best first impression, but we all have to take what we can get.
Excellent portraits, Gary – they look quite indignant! Adrian
Aa good descriptor, Adrian. Probably because I hadn’t taken the time to camouflage myself very well, and was disturbing their attempt at an uninterrupted repast. How crude of me.