I love Cardinals!  If I were Native American, I would likely have the cardinal as my spirit animal.  My brother carved one for me many years ago, and it still adorns my study.  I have chased them down country roads and waited hours for them to show up at feeders all over Texas.  My heart races with anticipation when I hear their call as I await that flurry of red.  I have hundreds of pictures of Cardinals.  Many were of the “bird-butt” variety when I was too slow on the trigger.  But I have many other shots that capture the full range of the bird’s classic poses and posturing.  The image above is one of the more unique and memorable.  This particular bird is in his annual molt that, in other species, precedes the Fall migration.  However, cardinals do not migrate.  They choose to stay in one area throughout the year. 

This bird could be thinking that he is not at his best and would prefer that I not share his picture.  But of course, he is a bird.  He does not have the human weakness of pride.  He accepts and embraces himself just as he is.  He may not be at his best, but he is not hiding in the bushes.  This bird is out and about.  He is at the feeder competing for food and enjoying the water drip in the center of the birding blind.  This attribute is called humility, a noble trait for birds and people!  He has ample reason to sing along with Mac Davis, “O Lord, it hard to be humble…” And his humility is especially remarkable because he is an exceptional creature. 

The cardinal is the state bird of 7 eastern states.  Its range covers over half of the Eastern US and Mexico.   The male and female cardinal has beautiful and distinctive songs that are easily recognized by even novice birders.  Cardinals generally mate for life and stay together throughout the year.  They communicate with each other with their songs.  If a cardinal appears, have patience.  The mate will appear shortly.  During courtship, the male will bring a seed or bug to his mate and feed her the morsel.  Both parents work together on building the nest and raising the young.

Humans have marveled at cardinals for hundreds, if not thousands of years.  An ancient Legend of the Red Bird identifies the bird as a sign of good fortune.  In the tale, a cardinal hears the lament of a young woman who yearns for a husband.  Her loneliness touches the bird’s soul.  In a few days, he encounters a young man and experiences the same loneliness in him.  The cardinal devises a plan whereby he shows himself to the man and appears wounded and sick.  The bird limps along, and the man follows the bird to the young woman’s hut.  The man and the woman become answers to one another’s loneliness.  Many other legends and stories view the cardinal as extraordinary companions for our journey.  (Follow this link, and you can read about many of them, Cardinal Lore.)   

If we were as gifted and honored as the humble cardinal, we would puff up with pride.  But the cardinals live their lives, accepting themselves, and each day as it unfolds.  They do not insist on special privileges or demand any special attention or allegiance of those around them. 

Blue jays seldom slip in and out quietly.  They announce themselves very loudly and chase away the “lesser” birds.  The hummingbird flashes brilliant colors, diving and swooping as they chase away other hummingbirds (as well and bees and wasps) that are trying to sip “their” food.  The grackle gangs up on other birds and chases them away, even much larger birds.    But the cardinal comes and goes in life. 

They maintain a healthy relationship with their life-mate and take care of themselves and their family.  It is a marvel.  Yet, it goes on about its life accepting its lot like just one more bird at the feeder and nothing more.

I continue watching this noble creature as he flies in and takes a beak full of food and seeks a nearby perch to enjoy his meal.  Then he dives in for a quick sip and splashes in the water at the drip before finding a branch to clean his feathers and allow them to dry.  The cardinal is flash without pretension, and beauty without ostentation.  He seems to know himself and is comfortable in his feathers, even when the feathers are a bit shabby and bare.

Through these amazing creatures, the spirit of life whispers to each of us.  “Know thyself.  Accept thyself.  Live your life.  Stay focused on what is truly important.  Live the life for which you are most suited.”  The cardinal reminds us that in all things, we must be true to who we are.  We are nothing more and nothing less.  We can celebrate our life even when we have two odd feathers sticking out of our heads.

Blessings,

Bob