A Cardinal Cutie

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I stopped into the last true remaining 5 & 10 cent store in NJ and bought placemats that showed cardinals and pine boughs as the design. They were holidayish and I normally wouldn't purchase them but for the fact that they reminded me of my mother's table and I miss my mom.

When I got home, I yelled at my lollygagging son to do his homework which brought up my last raw nerve, so I thought it best to give another go at the feeder. It is softly raining, and the sparrows have fled, so I pulled up a chair and started swiveling the lens.

I thought I spotted a redhead in the blue spruce at the back of my yard, took a shot and inspected the picture. It was indeed a cardinal. Soon enough, a young one flitted out to scope the seed. I am in Cardinal Love right now and anxiously await the next opportunity to make it's acquaintance. I personally like the effect of the forgotten basketball in the background as it echoes the bird's beak.