Cardinal Nestlings, Two Days Older

The cardinal nestlings have changed noticeably in two days. I wasn't able to photograph them yesterday because it was chilly and rainy. Every time I looked, Mama Cardinal was on the nest, presumably keeping the babies warm. Today, the babies are darker and don't look quite so naked (see earlier photo). Still, they have a ways to go before they look like cardinals!

Baby cardinals nestle, with two on the bottom and a third in between and on top. 

Babies huddle quietly in between short bouts of peeping with mouths open wide.

Baby Cardinals

Curious why the mother cardinal had stopped sitting on her nest, I took the screen off the upstairs window and peered into the camellia. To my joy, I saw three baby cardinals.

The wings are distinct on the baby cardinal. No awards for cuteness yet, however!

Baby cardinals sit in nest nicely shaded by a camellia branch.

Baby cardinal opens mouth wide for food.

More Bluebird Activity

The bluebird babies are getting louder. Today while waiting for the parents to return with more insects, I heard a rustling and flapping sound from within the box, as if the babies were jostling each other for position. Occasionally a little head would appear trying to peep out, then quickly disappear.

A baby bluebird takes a look at the world outside.

The adult male and female take turns feeding the babies. It doesn't take them long to find insects in our wooded area. 

Top: Female bluebird
Bottom: Male bluebird, incredibly blue in the sunlight