I heard her calling to her mate this morning. The call so familiar to me that it always sends me outside searching for a flash of red. Cardinals have been especially meaningful to me for the past 3 years.
It was 3 years ago when I first heard the call of a cardinal. I was standing at the bus stop with my daughter and we heard a bird calling above our heads. We looked up into the twisted branches of one of the old Live Oaks that filled the landscape. There he was, in all his bright, red glory. A male cardinal. In all my years in Florida, I had never seen one there. I associated them with my visits to Virginia, where my in-laws lived.
We were in the midst of chaos at the time. Recovering from the grief of my father-in-law passing, the shock of our son’s injury, and wrestling with whether or not to move closer to my mother-in-law.
A few days later, a male cardinal (I have to think the same one) would get into our screened patio. At the time I didn’t know that cardinals are considered symbolic, but it felt like a sign from God to me. Cardinals are the state bird of Virginia. Moving from my home state was a big deal and I wanted to be sure that we were listening to God.
We would end up moving shortly thereafter. The transition here has not been smooth and there have been plenty of stressful situations. In those moments when I really begin to wonder if I’m still on God’s path from my life, a cardinal will fly across the roadway of my drive or dart into my backyard. It gives me hope that I am indeed listening.
So when I heard the call today, I stepped onto my back porch. They were calling back and forth. I could hear that one was very close. I was peering up into the tall branches of the trees. Yet, it sounded closer. Right beside the porch is a holly. I have been tempted to cut it since it doesn’t get red berries and is just tall and sharp. I peered all around it and there she was. Mama cardinal sitting in her nest, protecting her future offspring. I could barely capture the photo due to the dense nature of the plant.
She fills my heart with joy to see her there. I am a mama. I know what it’s like to protect my babies. I feel so grateful that she felt safe enough right up against my home to build her nest. The journey in life is rarely easy and I am confronted with choices each day about how I will respond. I am thankful that God promises to be there.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
Let your light shine!
Amy
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I like your post. It made me appreciate our backyard cardinal even more. We only have one regular visitor – the male one. I saw the female only once and two years ago, I might have seen a young one. I know its voice and I look forward to seeing him (with his mate hopefully) sometime soon.
Thank you. They are quite lovely. I also love how I see them in a pair. He usually darts into the backyard firs, then must signal her somehow, and then she follows. It is a beautiful exchange to watch.
I lived in your country for a decade — and loved seeing birds that we don’t have here in Australia. I had a cardinal that seemed to nest in the same spot every year. Glad you put this up because it brought back some great memories. All the best from Brisbane, Australia.
One of the things I have loved about blogging and social media is seeing all the amazing things from places that I have never been. I’m glad you have great memories about cardinals, they are a beautiful addition to this world 🙂
Yes it’s great isn’t. Every week I look at the list of people submitting posts and look at their blogs. I have a lot I follow. Just as well unlike to read. 🙂
I like your post. It made me appreciate our backyard cardinal even more. We only have one regular visitor – the male one. I saw the female only once and two years ago, I might have seen a young one. I know its voice and I look forward to seeing him (with his mate hopefully) sometime soon.
Thank you. They are quite lovely. I also love how I see them in a pair. He usually darts into the backyard firs, then must signal her somehow, and then she follows. It is a beautiful exchange to watch.
I get cardinals singing in the yard often, They are so beautiful. That is a great photo of her on the next…
Thank you!! They are very beautiful birds!
certainly a different post in response to the theme vis-a-vis others…. great entry for WPC- Future!
Thank you. The “future” theme definitely leaves room for lots of possibilities. I’m hoping to catch a sighting of the babies when they hatch 🙂
sure… have fun while you do that! 🙂
I lived in your country for a decade — and loved seeing birds that we don’t have here in Australia. I had a cardinal that seemed to nest in the same spot every year. Glad you put this up because it brought back some great memories. All the best from Brisbane, Australia.
One of the things I have loved about blogging and social media is seeing all the amazing things from places that I have never been. I’m glad you have great memories about cardinals, they are a beautiful addition to this world 🙂
Yes it’s great isn’t. Every week I look at the list of people submitting posts and look at their blogs. I have a lot I follow. Just as well unlike to read. 🙂
*Just as well I like to read* Darn typos. 🙂