We have quite a few different birds visiting our garden over a 12 month cycle, but especially of course during the warmer months. Outside our window, which overlooks the back garden, is a holly bush. We had noticed a Cardinal hanging around, but thought little of it until a few days ago when Carol happened to look out and saw this:
I guess we have our Easter Egg! It may not be chocolate but, I bet it has a lovely surprise inside. For anybody not familiar with Cardinals, below is a male (Pic taken a few years ago). The female, typical of all the birds that I have seen, is less colourful … but a male and female together make a lovely couple!
Footnote: Just prior to posting, a second egg appeared in the nest!
A Dog's Life ... and mine ... and yours! 
How fortunate you are to have this nest so close to be able to witness the gifts that Mother Nature provides…free of charge. Sadly, during a recent rain and wind storm a small nest containing eggs was destroyed when a large branch on my Weeping Cherry tree, on which it was attached, was torn off. My backyard is home to many Cardinal, Robin, Blue Jay and other bird families in trees, bird houses and even the roof gutter over the deck. I often stand at my kitchen window to watch them visit the feeders, along with some enterprising squirrels. Thank-you for sharing these lovely photographs!
LikeLiked by 2 people
We do much the same here! We look out our back window in the Winter and watch. In the Summer we are usually just chilling outside .. and listening and watching! 🙂
LikeLike
You are going to be a grandpa! Once, in another house. There was a trellis with vines next to the screened porch. Every year a nest of finches would live there. When they left I’d get “empty nest” syndrome. They were fun to watch and they made a lot of noise!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Kate. We have a nesting box on the side of the house which is generally populated by sparrows, and another one at the bottom of our garden which has been used by Chickadees (but remains empty at this time) It makes me wonder who else is quietly setting up home in our shrubbery! Exciting stuff! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is exciting. Nature is awesome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It truly is … but it makes me wonder where it screwed up with our species. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks like you’re going to be playing audience to Mother Nature, and all you have to do is look out your window.
We once had a dove’s nest by our window. It’s good entertainment, watching the chicks being raised.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yup! Exciting stuff, and we don’t have to go outside! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never seen a cardinal except in a picture. Such a beautiful bird!
LikeLiked by 2 people
They are a wonderful addition to a garden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have no doubt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
wonderful Colin. Hope you get some pics of the chicks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope so too! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Colin! What a beautiful egg! Keep us posted on the progress of the hatchlings. Cardinals are the state bird here in Ohio. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Then you have a gorgeous state bird! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely surprise in your garden. Wish there were colorful cardinals here. Best we can do are bluebirds in the foothills and small house finches with the male’s little red heads which get brighter during mating season in the city.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Sounds like you have some “colour” flying around there! I feel sorry for the apartment dwellers who look out of their windows and likely see more apartments!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’d be surprised. Wildlife has a way of existing in an urban setting. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to live on a 19th Floor and, apart of “Crazy Harry” coming to see me, there was not much else happening. “Crazy Harry” was a squirrel who climbed up the outside of the building to check out the balconies! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sparrows are nearly as opportunistic as squirrels in my experience. 🐿🐦
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is a great surprise to find! Hope you can get some pictures of the eggs when they hatch. 🙂
A red cardinal against the white snow always makes a beautiful picture!
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLike
It looks like you will have young to watch.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It does look promising, although we do have a number of predators around here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lets hope they survive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stay tuned Liz. Stay tuned! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person