But I'm still thrilled to see him. This looks like a young male cardinal, shedding his juvenile colours and getting his first set, of the red feathers, of an adult male. This year the pair of cardinals, who live around our back yard, seem to have produced at least two chicks. This one and a female one. I can tell they are juveniles because their beaks are still dull coloured not the bright orange of an adult.
A fabulous capture of the cardinal in the sunlight! Such great detail with its plumage! And I love the tuft of feathers on the top of his head, soon to be a mature crest, I imagine! Fav
A fab. capture of this youngster, Great detail of the rather scruffy plumage as he moults and gains his mature feathers of such gorgeous red of the adult male ! Wonderful light - fav