Saturday, September 01, 2012

Molting: Northern Cardinals

 
Northern Cardinals molt from late summer through mid autumn.  While most of the year the male cardinals red plumage is strikingly beautiful, during the molt their appearance can be offputting.  The first two images posted were captured at our natural birdfeeders this morning. 


 
The females molt during the same timeframe.  While not as colorful as their mates when fully feathered, they are just as ragtag during the molt.


However just because birds are not fully feathered they are still worthy of one's time and effort to photograph them.  This image captured on October 31st of a molting male eating poke berries is featured in a double page spread in the 2012 September/October edition of Pennsylvania Magazine.

12 comments:

Misty DawnS said...

Your photos are always spectacular! The Cardinals are gorgeous, even when molting. I totally want to have some natural bird feeders! You should do a post on that!

Linda said...

In spite of the molting, they are still beautiful birds! Nice shots!

EJ said...

I like your birdsfeeder! We love cardinals.

Visiting from Camera Critters.

Pets & Critters Nook

waldlaeufer68 Frank Scholtyssek said...

Hi Coy,
is this kind of bird it here in Germany only to admire the park or zoo .. your pictures are absolutely top class again
greetings Frank

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Nice shots- they are still remarkable, even while molting!

Montanagirl said...

Gotta love those Cardinals! I really like your photos of them, molting or not.

Icy BC said...

Gorgeous capture! I saw something like this in the first photo, but thought that it was an immature cardinal!

Chubskulit Rose said...

That's our state bird, lovely shots.

Hopping by from Camera Critters.
Flowers and Butterfly

DeniseinVA said...

Beautiful shots and those are the neatest bird feeders.

Elaine said...

They do look a little ragtag. Congrats on getting your photo published. It's a wonderful shot!

Sharon M said...

Great photos! They sure look ratty when they molt.

Anonymous said...

They'll soon have brand new feathers!
Congratulations on having that great shot published!