I’ve been watching a pair of cardinals build a nest in a
tree out back. The shot of red as they pass
a window catches my eye. It’s been a
forever-long winter this year, with enough snow and rain to overfill the rivers
and keep the trees bare of leaves. Yet,
these two redbirds know that spring is on its way, and so are the little
cardinal babies that will hatch in this nest.
Their instincts are stronger than their sight. They continue to gather the materials to build
a strong nest They picked the perfect spot where two branches come together to
keep the wind from knocking their hard work to the ground. And, above all, they sing while they
work. They sound excited and happy as
they sing out to each other. Soon, one
will be looking for food while the other keeps the eggs warm.
I’m eager to hear the sounds of baby cardinals in the
trees. By then, the leaves will be out
and the branches will be full. We won’t
be able to see the nest anymore, but we’ll hear the sounds of life. And, if I’m lucky, and I pay attention, I may
have the privilege of seeing a few little cardinals fly out of the tree and begin
to explore the world.
