The Royal Wee One

His Royal Redship and the Missus have brought me joy for many months and I've grown extremely attached to both of them. The Mister communicates in very bold and direct ways that never cease to amaze me and we have a type of understanding that I hold very dear. Please click here for their portrait!

I thought the Missus might be expecting when she rested for a nap last March but I wasn't really sure of the cardinal's mating habits at that point. During the spring, they'd built their nest in an undiscoverable place, most likely in my neighbor Anne's bushes two doors down where there's nary a cat or dog to be seen. They continued to visit my yard multiple times during the day and early evening which always pleased me.

During that time, the Mister courted his Missus, tenderly feeding her sunflower seeds. I was remiss in providing the seed one afternoon and the Mister followed me right down the driveway, tsk tsking me and Max as he flew from tree to tree, still following me down the street! Needless to say I ran back in a hurry to fill the bowl!

I know both their calls well enough, but lately there's been a third voice added to the mix. It's a very loud chi-chi-chi that goes on non-stop through out the day. It took me awhile to realize that the cardinals had a brand new addition to their family and the Royal Wee One was calling for her mama and papa. What a voice!

I've tried to find the Wee One so I could blip a proper portrait but I've met with failure each time. I spotted her taking a solo fight across the street with mom and dad in hot pursuit. She landed on the the church window, chirping out with her operatic voice. She's perched on my electrical wires in front of the house and also in the Japanese Red Maple and she never stops calling and singing.

It was almost enough just to see her at a distance but truthfully it wasn't. Her arrival is a wonderful event and I feel as excited as a grandmother who's longing to see her granddaughter up close and personal for the very first time!

So now I have! The Royal Wee One was alternately chirping for her mama and dozing off in my pine tree when I just happened to turn my head and catch her in my line of sight. I ran for the camera and fired off a few good shots until the Missus called to her from the mock orange bushes. Miss Wee One began to shake with excitement, stretching out toward mama, keen with anticipation! The Missus swooped in so quickly and the wee one was gone in a blink but they both perched on the fence just behind the tree for the briefest of moments before they disappeared together.

I am well pleased to have made her acquaintance!

To see more pics of the Royal Wee One please click here dozing and here singing and here getting ready to launch 'cause mama is coming!

Happy Thursday everyone!