A little birdy once told me that when a cardinal appears, loved ones are near…
What a beautiful thought and something to bring hope, especially in times of loss and grief. I was gifted a bird camera this past Christmas and let me tell you, it brings me so much joy.
These pictures are not fantastic, as they are screenshots taken from the live video action I was blessed with yesterday. Yesterday was also Easter Sunday. So take from that what you will.
This weekend was filled with self-care, baking, and family. I feel that I may have mastered the sourdough baking process. I did not realise how much baking helped me to relax until recently. Not so much baking cakes, that is still very much a work in progress, but the baking of bread brings a feeling of connection for me. I made four loaves this weekend, all of which were gifts for family. When I say connection, I mean the act of stretching and pulling the dough, shaping and “caring” for it, it’s like every loaf has my love included, I guess that’s where the term “baked with love” comes from. Oh, what joy the simple act of baking bread can bring. I also made a Cadbury mini egg sourdough loaf for my daughter, it turned out perfectly – I’ll post about that experience another time.
Anyhoo, back to the birdy, this beautiful Northern Cardinal has been showing up at our feeder with another female cardinal for the past few weeks. Watching them take turns with each other and the other birds at the feeder is always entertaining for me. Sometimes it’s like they are looking directly at you through the camera. However, the cardinal brought more meaning to me this Easter. Last year, we lost our beautiful mom to cancer. It was a year ago this past Saturday that we all gathered to celebrate her wonderful life and all the blessings she brought to this earth. Her favourite bird was the Northern Cardinal; in fact, she had a lot of bird “things” in her home. Whilst I know that the birds are drawn to the feeders simply for the food, I also believe they visit to remind us of Mom’s beautiful spirit, and a simple reminder that whilst she is no longer physically with us, she is always in our hearts and memories, its also evident that her mannerisms and love of her family live on through her three wonderful sons.
A little birdy came, not only to say hello, but also to eat food and show me its beauty, it reminded me that love is always around us, if we choose to stop for a moment, to see it, feel it, and enjoy. What a blessing indeed.
Cardinal birds, with their vibrant red feathers and beautiful melody, capture the imagination of poets and artists alike. These birds are known to symbolize love, courage, and vitality, making them a popular subject in poetry. Cardinals have played a significant role in literature for centuries, with a focus on spirituality, hope, and positive vibes.
Interestingly, cardinals are monogamous and will only look for another partner if one of them dies. Their red colour comes from the food they eat; they are omnivores, meaning they eat both animals and plants. They truly are fascinating and beautiful creatures.
Collescapes 