By Bob Knowlton
While walking our dog Henry the other day, I noticed a male cardinal sitting on the ground atop a palm frond by the 14th green. As it took notice of neither Henry nor me, I approached it, picked up the frond and just looked at this red feathered creature. It showed no fear at all.
I recognized it as a fledgling, just out of the nest but incapable yet of gaining altitude in flight – I had seen similar behavior in a robin years earlier.
During this short time, the grounded bird was clearly vulnerable. I held out my right index finger and (s)he hopped up and easily perched on it.
The next thing that happened was that this young cardinal rubbed its beak against my thumb. Maybe (s)he was looking for food, or sampling my scent, or just being affectionate.
Seeing as it was in no hurry to leave, I offered my left index finger, and the bird easily stepped onto it. I then gently removed my phone from the back pocket and took a few photos including this one.
Finally, to keep the bird safe, I invited my new friend a perch on the closest shrub to us, which it took. I backed off, looked at it, tilted my head and the bird tilted its own back at me.
I left it there and returned in about ten minutes. The bird was still where I left it. But as I approached, it turned around and flew off into the brush, safe & sound. And now able to fly.
Just a simply wonderful friendly interaction with wildlife in Marsh Creek.
This cardinal story really touched my heart. I would like to share another cardinal experience that I will never forget. A few years ago, my husband was moved during the night from a nursing home to the Bailey Center when death was imminent. He was given a private room at the end of long hall, which contained 3 windows. When morning came, we saw a male cardinal on the window sill flapping his wings and pecking repeatedly on the window. Except for very brief periods, he remained there all day and flew away at sunset. He was there again the following morning with the same routine until my husband passed at sunset, at which time the cardinal flew away and did not return. The nurses told us this was a common experience and that it had happened to other patients occupying the same room. It certainly was an uplifting experience for our family.
Later, we learned on the internet that there are many other stories of cardinals appearing where death is involved. It is thought that they come to give peace or comfort to the survivors. When I went to order flowers for a memorial, I took along a small stuffed cardinal and asked to have it added to the arrangement. As I began to explain why I wanted the bird to be used, the florist stopped me and said she had heard the same stories from other people.
Birds and animals are attracted to nice, caring people……that’s you Bob. Hi to Henry
Birds and animals know a nice, caring person……that’s you Bob. Hi to Henry!
Wow! What a special morning greeting from a cardinal. Thanks for sharing Bob! We live in such a beautiful community.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. 😀
Bob, what a beautiful experience, for you and the bird. Thanks so much for a lovely way to start my day. My best to Henry.
How fortunate for you, Bob, to be that close to a fledgling cardinal! Loved this!