Snow Shock!

On the way to afternoon feeding, I was stunned when I almost missed this poor little thing sitting like a statue in front of the Old House.  He didn't move a wing when I approached.  Despite being a bit dirty, this red beauty banged into the one of the parlor windows.  Nugget was a good boy and did nothing after I firmly warned him to stay away.  I gently attempted to lift the cardinal from the ground and he flew only a few feet in the air and landed in the paddock.  He was like a broken miniature airplane with tail drag. 

Wondering if he broke a small bone or received internal injury, I briskly walked back to the porch and got some black oil sunflower seed to lure him to ingest some good protein!  Don't all males like to eat?  I backed off to watch and wait.  Nothing.

All of his kind were happily eating at the feeder so I thought I might carry him there in case he had mated for life so she could see what had happened.  Not sure if cardinals mate that way but I think swans and geese do, so what the heck.  Being around his friends would certainly help! He wouldn't feel alone and the dense green hawthorn bushes offer good protection from the elements for him to rest and recover.

Alas, I think the seed told him I was trustworthy, and he permitted the buttery soft leather fingers to gently surround his tender little body.  Oh no, I can't jump over the fence with no hands so I had to take the long way around.  Would he be a patient little soul?  My little bird flew into the branches of the hawthorn bush and I couldn't find him despite peering all around and wouldn't you know, a delivery man arrived watching the crazy farm lady with her head deep within the branches.  Too funny!

When it snows or goes below 32 degrees, I keep the barn cats in so the birds can safely eat and the kitties don't get frost bitten noses or paw pads.  Thank goodness it was snowing that day or one of the following might have had a meal!

Callie is a very good hunter and passed her skills to her big bad son, Cricket.

   Although Daddy Cat is quite abundant in girth, he is a very fine hunter!

          Little shy Sylvester is not as innocent out in the barn yard!

But this is the thing that is most ferocious...even his toes and claws are over sized not to mention his fangs.  I am not kidding!

             Could that be my little bird chatting with some girls?