Northern Cardinal

Northern Cardinals, or just Cardinals as they are commonly called, are very common year-round in Jefferson County. The males are the bright red color as adults and what most people visualize when they think of a Cardinal. The females are fairer with some olive color. Indiana and 6 other states have the Cardinal as their state bird as well as many athletic teams. This species is often drawn to backyard feeders but will also eat insects. Juvenile males such as the one pictured eating an insect look somewhat like the female but with brighter splotches of color. The main challenge with photographing Cardinals is they tend to prefer cover – especially the males. (Being bright red, if hungry hawks were around, I would too).

Many of these would make nice prints - both males and females are well represented.