Cardinal Saga, Continues . . .

So Papa Cardinal spent Thursday morning flying back and forth to the debris under the sunflower feeder, gulping down seed debris and droppings, then . . .

to the nest. I'm guessing he's regurgitating the stuff into the mouths of the waiting babies.

By Thursday afternoon, the first of the three had hopped out of the nest and was perched on a branch nearby. Only a Mommy or Daddy Cardinal could possibly think this creature is anything other than one of the ugliest things on earth.

Within about an hour all three had hopped out of the nest and fallen to the ground. Daddy was going crazy flying around, chirping frantically. I finally figured out he was calling the babies to come on over and hide under our deck. Eventually they all made it over there.

But, sadly, our resident predator got out and within a short period of time had discovered the babies. I saw him with one in his mouth, the little wings just fluttering and the Daddy going crazy. We then caught the predator and he's been locked in the garage ever since. We did see one of the little ones near the deck this morning, so we know that at least one has survived thus far. Maybe they'll make it to flight ready.