When did you take this photo?
Winter of 2007
Where did you take this photo?
I live in the far western, mountainous region of Maryland. The birds were resting in one of the butterfly bushes that stand next to one of my feeding stations. I am surrounded by forest and mountains. There are alot of wild roses that grow here and the cardinals seem to prefer those to nest and hide in.
How do you attract northern cardinals to your backyard?
I fill platform feeders with black oil sunflower seed and spread chicken scratch on the ground. The cardinals are crazy for both. I offer water all year round for them to bathe and drink. In the wintertime it's heated to avoid freezing.
Tips and Tricks
- Be patient. The perfect photo op will come.
- Be aware of your birds' habits. The cardinals here come during the early morning hours and early in the evening.
- Rid your yard of non-natural predators (like feral cats).
Melissa Mayntz, Birding / Wild Birds Guide, says:
Cardinals are very gregarious in winter and will form large flocks, which can make for stunning photos against a winter landscape. These are great tips for how to perfectly capture that flock moment, and how to keep a large number of backyard cardinals healthy and happy.
See the complete northern cardinal profile.
