Sweetness!

   While working in the Small Gardens, I have the opportunity to watch any critter that comes within range.  Usually, these are birds that come to munch the birdseed that I toss on and under a plant bench.  There are no fancy, cutesy feeders in my yard simply because some of the nighttime critters haul them off to parts unknown.  I have give up on those and the birds do not seem to mind.  In fact, I think this actually works out better for them as they get free hawk protection from the plants and benches.

  Today, I was fortunate enough to watch a pair of cardinals that were the sweetest things.  It is a well known fact that cardinals make great couples.  They are very attentive to one another and dote on each other.  The first to come is always the male. He flies down to make sure the place is safe for his ladylove and then calls to her to join him in the feast.  They will each peck at the seeds for a few moments then he carefully selects and shells a sunflower seed.  After hopping over to her side, he presents the seed.  She accepts the gift and gingerly takes it from his beak.  The whole process is adorable!

  It seems that the cardinal population is exploding around here. We have so many nesting pairs in our yard and the surrounding woods.  Perhaps it is due to a environmental depletion since the properties to our west are being clear cut.  By clear cut, I mean nothing is left standing.  Nothing!  Birds (and other critters) need some coverage and if you remove it, their nesting grounds are gone.  The birds move on to new places.  So many inhabited nests and dens were destroyed by the huge machines and so many critters have sought refuge here. Human greed is ruining life.  I welcome the critters and will always until we are pushed out by progress just as they were.  It is coming to that...probably sooner than I wish to think.   But!  Until that time, I will continue to care for my sweet critter friends!