Found the Cardinal Nest of Babies

@CarolDM (203396)

Nashville, Tennessee

May 11, 2020 11:37am CST

Was out walking around yesterday in the yard. I kept watching the male and female cardinals. I was determined to find their nest. They are very elusive and hard to get close to. I had my phone in my pocket in case I found the nest. The holly bush is where the female kept flying to. After a few minutes I slowly went and started searching. The problem I had was the holly bush is not easy to look inside of. You will get stuck by the leaves. But I was not giving up. I would look a few minutes, then walk away. Did not want to disturb the parents and cause them to abandon the nest. Finally on my last trip I got brave and was actually inside the holly bush (crazy bird lady here

) and there it was. My first ever cardinal nest to see. At the top of the bush. I thought the nest was empty. I slowly pulled the limb down the nest was perched on, and I saw the fuzzy babies. Had to snap this photo quick with no focusing. But I got it! I see two, maybe three babies.

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14 responses

@marlina (154103)

• Canada

11 May 20

I wonder if the baby birds will be males or females?

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@marlina (154103)

• Canada

12 May 20

@CarolDM I guess you are going to check them quite often from now on. Good luck.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

@marlina I have to be careful as they get ready to fledge. I am within through the window.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

11 May 20

I can tell you in a few days, if I am allowed back in the all bush. You can tell by the colors as they mature. But they will fledge in 7-10 days.

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@LowRiderX (22901)

• Serbia

11 May 20

You came very close to them

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

11 May 20

I touched the nest on the side to get the photo. I was very careful, inside the holly bush.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

@LowRiderX I have sen many this close. Remember the thrasher babies I saw a few weeks ago? And I usually have bluebirds in the bluebird house too but none so far. I get close to those. You just have to learn when and how long to stay. The adult birds get protective.

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@LowRiderX (22901)

• Serbia

11 May 20

@CarolDM Amazing, I have never come so close to the nest

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@AmbiePam (120630)

• United States

11 May 20

I love it! I just can't get enough of little baby "anythings".

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@AmbiePam (120630)

• United States

11 May 20

@CarolDM My dad's wife has a huge wreath on the wall outside their front door, and two years in a row, a bird has made her nest in it. It was amazing to see, just a foot from the front door!

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

11 May 20

@AmbiePam That is cute, house wrens do that often.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

11 May 20

I was so excited I almost dropped my phone trying to get out of the holly bush.

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@snowy22315 (208801)

• United States

12 May 20

I guess it was worth the trouble! I have sparrows out front that are trying to build a nest in the Holly Bush, but I don't want them there..too close to the front door and if they get startled they could start flying erratically. Last thing I want is a bird in the house..Getting an insect in here is bad enough.

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@snowy22315 (208801)

• United States

12 May 20

@CarolDM The sparrows also had the idea of building a nest near the deck, I had to put the Kaibosh on that too..same principle. There are plenty of areas to choose from around..that aren't right outside my door..

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

I loved every minute of it. The first cardinal nest I have ever seen. This one is in the backyard thankfully.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

@snowy22315 Yes I prefer them away from the house too.

@simone10 (54180)

• Louisville, Kentucky

12 May 20

Awww, how sweet and adorable! That's a great shot!

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@simone10 (54180)

• Louisville, Kentucky

16 May 20

@CarolDM I would have been so excited. And they grow so fast so the next time you see them, they won't even look the same.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

16 May 20

@simone10 I caught a glimpse this morning behind bushes I think.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

Thanks it was cool to see.

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@thelme55 (79311)

• Germany

12 May 20

What a wonderful photo! I am glad you have found them.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

Thanks I was snapping really fast.

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@Debscrochet (1947)

• United States

11 May 20

So cute. I raised a baby cardinal years ago that fell in my pool.I couldn't find the nest. I had him about 11 years, well past the expected age of 5. He was a great bird. I miss his singing in the morning.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

Oh I am so glad you rescued him. You are kidding! That is a long time. Good for you.

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@jobelbojel (36796)

• Philippines

11 May 20

That determination! Good example of not giving up and you found them!

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

11 May 20

That is what it takes when dealing with nature.

@wolfgirl569 (135643)

• Marion, Ohio

11 May 20

Great photo.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

Thanks, I was inside the holly.

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@JudyEv (381911)

• Rockingham, Australia

12 May 20

Oh wow! How clever are you? Bird nests can be incredibly hard to find.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

I was determined.

If you watch the birds they will usually lead you to the nest.

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@shubhu3 (36463)

• New Delhi, India

12 May 20

This is exciting.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

Yes!

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@JohnRoberts (109841)

• Los Angeles, California

11 May 20

Future cardinals!

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

11 May 20

Indeed. This is the first cardinal nest I have ever found.

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@LindaOHio (222285)

• United States

11 May 20

Great shot! The crazy bird lady strikes again...:-)

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

11 May 20

It is a little blurred but I was actually inside the holly bush.

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@sarik1 (7815)

•

12 May 20

So lovely sweet.

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@CarolDM (203396)

• Nashville, Tennessee

12 May 20

Yes it was.

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