Terrific Hieroglyphic

It's cold out, the snow still falling, but Cardinals brighten even the grayest days.

Through the trees, as far as the opposite goal post,

their neon color catches our attention.

The female waits for spring when, instead of chasing them away,

the males will be offering little gifts of food.

What do the birds mean, 

with their hieroglyphics in the snow?

This one, at least, we know.

Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday

Fledge Day

There was excitement in my friend's voice on the other end of the phone.  

"Cardinals are nesting near our house, and one of the babies fledged today.  

Would you like to come and see them?"  

"Sure, I'll be right over," I answered, 

What self-respecting photographer could turn down such and invitation?

By the time I arrived, only one baby bird was still in the nest. 

It fledged soon after I arrived, and I didn't see it again,   

but the parents stayed close, chirping their encouragement.

As I sat on the porch steps with my camera, I could feel something watching me.

I glanced down, and in the bushes, saw the eyes of a predator.  

That wouldn't do; the cat was soon captured and put away in the garage.

Hopefully, the birds could live another day.

Snow Dog

A light snow covered the ground yesterday when we got up, and it continued all morning. I stayed in the house, working and watching the birds, and probably would have been content to do so all day had it not been for Barley's sad eyes, silently beseeching me to go for a walk.  

By mid afternoon, the snow had stopped and I bundled up and headed outside with Barley, who ran circles in the snow and cavorted like a puppy, before joining me on the path to the hollow.  

It's easy to think we have these trails to ourselves, since all the animals usually scatter before we approach, but one walk in the snow dispels that notion.  On such days, Barley's nose is constantly following tracks.  Deer had been this way, squirrel tracks wound through the woods, and wild birds had left their footprints in abundance.  

With snow weighing down my boots, our trek took longer than usual.  On the way back, the wind had picked up, and the sun peeked out of the clouds briefly, lighting the blowing snow with a blizzard of sparkles. 

From inside the windows, I would have missed the magic, the exhilaration of the sharp cold air, the squeak of soft snow underfoot, and the pure joy of one dog. 

What was I thinking?