Our three Cardinal chicks appear to be doing fine. They’re growing at a quite remarkable rate and, as all three are now in a bit of a squeeze with the nest size, we don’t think it will be long before the first one attempts to fly!
As a result of comments made on the earlier Post regarding our Cardinal family, I did express the thought that all was not necessarily well with these newborns. What was the problem? This was the problem:
As lovely as Blue Jays are, we understand that they can be partial to fresh eggs! The one in the picture is perched in our Pussy Willow tree which overlooks the holly bush … which supports the Cardinal’s nest. We are pretty certain he knew they were there, and was just waiting for the right moment. I think we can assume that Mom and Dad Cardinal were equally alert to “his” presence!
While we are no longer concerned about the Blue Jay, we have other predators on the ground just waiting for any new youngster who has a crash landing during flying lessons. You know those cute little chipmunks? We had a nest of baby Chickadees a few years ago, and the last one out of the nest was a terrible flyer. It spent a fair bit of time on the ground and, as we watched it, a chipmunk casually started to wander over to it. We thought it was interesting that the chipmunk was being so inquisitive .. and then it lunged at the Chickadee! Chipmunks around here are no longer cute!
So … chipmunks, squirrels, hawks, foxes and no doubt a few other predators permitting …. we should soon have some additional Cardinals looking for homes of their own, and so the cycle continues! 🙂
A Dog's Life ... and mine ... and yours! 
Ah, Nature, ain’t it grand.
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It sure is! 🙂
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Let’s hope for the best!
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🙂
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I had not known that before about Blue jays. That picture does make it look a intimidating, glad it left the eggs alone!
Wow on them testing their wings already! Doesn’t take long. You now have forever marred the picture in my mind of cute chipmunks! How dare they kill a baby bird, but I guess that is how it goes in nature.
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Yes (re chipmunks) … and we have video evidence of the attempt!
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Video of the chipmink attacking the baby bird?
But Alvin,Theodore and Simon are so cute! LOL!
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Your babies are already trying to fly? My goodness, they’re only a week or so old! Surely Mom and Dad are keeping a close eye on them. 🙂
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The way Mom zoomed in on that last one, she is obviously very close by … and also I suspect is Dad! 🙂
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Mother Nature is beautiful, but she can be brutal and unforgiving also.
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Agreed. When I look at our species, I guess we fit right in here!
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Blue jays can be quite aggressive. Glad your eggs survived that period and hope they manage to thrive as they grow and move on to start families of their own.
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We do love Blue Jays … but then we would prefer them not to be around when eggs are at stake! As an aside, Carol witnessed the last one leaving the nest earlier today. It shakily went down into a shrub and Mom suddenly appeared and followed it down. 🙂
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They grow up so quickly!
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It was a pretty impressive performance from egg to flight! No wonder feeding is a non-stop responsibility for Mom and Dad! 🙂
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