Written by As the weather gets colder, many birds are rushing off to a warmer climate. Something many of us humans wish we could do as well. Perhaps that’s why I’ve always loved the Northern Cardinal, or Red Bird as my family called it, because he always stuck around to freeze his little butt off with us. It’s hard to complain about the cold when a tiny bird a fraction of your size seems undaunted by the drop in temperatures. And I always found this quite comforting. With precious few other birds around in the winter, this showstopping beauty with his fiery red feathers can be seen flying across the winter snow, stopping every so often to sit on a frozen branch. The enhanced contrast with the white of the snowy landscape is gorgeous and one of the reasons that have made this bird into a holiday icon. Well, that and the fact that he’s red, of course.
There’s just something magical about these birds. Despite being incredibly common where I live, seeing one always causes a rush of excitement as though one has just spotted a unicorn. Actually, while visiting my mom in Texas, a story came on television about the famous-at-the-time unicorn named Lancelot. He was the star attraction of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus during the mid-80’s. He was covered in white fur and had a single horn and so people just assumed he must be magical. In reality, it was nothing more than a common billy goat that had its horn fused into one shortly after birth. This has nothing to do with red birds, I know, I’m just easily distracted. Except, I guess, to say that sometimes when we want to believe something is special, it just is. No matter how common it may actually be.
So the sight a red bird during the snowy winter months will always thrill me. One was sitting just outside the door to our snow-covered terrace last year and I stood there staring at it, completely fascinated. Actually it was staring back at me, so we ended up in a staring contest that lasted until he suddenly flew away. I’m not sure how the rules of staring contests work when one of the opponents is actually capable of flight, much less has an extra eyelid, so I had no idea how to declare a winner. But it didn’t really matter. It was just wonderful to experience such a magical moment. A beautiful red visitor to add a little burst of color in the bleak midwinter. Perfectly ordinary, yet suddenly amazing.
Join us for the December Doodlewash Adventure: Winter Wonderland,
Click Here to Learn More!
About the DoodlewashSennelier L’Aquarelle: Sennelier Red, Red Orange, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Deep. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon with black ink in a little red cloth hardbound l’aquarelle journal I found in a Paris shop. |
 |
|
Wow! Love it. We see these guys in our yard. They are such a splash of color flitting about as they do. Nice work.
Thanks so much, Kirk! 😃 Yeah, they’re by far my favorite sight during the winter months!
Beautiful color on this cardinal and lots of detail – well done, Charlie.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕
Thank you for the reminder of the northern cardinal. The first time I saw one of these boys during a trip to the US I was entranced by its otherworldly beauty. A gorgeous painting, Charlie.
Thanks, Michael! 😃 I bet seeing one for the first time was a fabulous experience. I’ve seen them all my life, but still get excited each time!
Beautiful painting! Your cardinal looks striking, sassy, and with a bit of mischief in its glance. Love these birds and their sweet singing.
Thanks, Haunani! 😃💕 He does seem to have a bit of mischief… hehe… guess he knows he’s rather striking in all that red!
Gorgeous painting. You’ve got the effect of the light on the feathers perfectly. Cardinals visit my bird feeders every day. I love to see them every single time. They look spectacular against the white of the snow in winter.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 I agree… it just never gets boring seeing a bright red cardinal appear. Beautiful birds!
Such great details and stunning color! Cardinals always stop me in my tracks when I see one in our yard.
Thanks so much! 😃💕 Yeah… they are truly showstopping birds! hehe
Charlie, because the cardinal flew away, you are the winner. You are also the winner because of this amazing doodlewash! 😍
Awww thanks so much, Carol! 😃💕 hehe… yeah… I did win that staring contest then! Yay! Lol
We don’t see these birds where I live – yours is spectacular Charlie!! ❤️❤️❤️
Thanks so much, Jill! 😃💕 And you don’t have them? They are soooo prevelant here I almost take them for granted. But they’re so beautiful!
I love these birds, having never seen one in person, so I have to just admire others art work. Yours is superb, what an iconic bird 😀
Thanks so much, Rebecca! 😃💕 They are truly a sight to behold in person. One of my favorite birds to see!
Fabulous bird! We don’t get any brightly coloured birds in England, would love to see these in the gardens and parks.
Thanks, Georgie! 😃💕 These would love fabulous in an English garden… a shame they don’t live there!
Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Jodi! 😃💕
They are indeed majestic birds and you’ve captured that. Great job, Charlie! (K)
Aww thanks, Kerfe! 😃💕 No idea if anyone is still compiling Draw a Bird day entries anymore, but this one would be mine! hehe
I think we need Laura.
We do!!
Stunning colour in this one, I think you did the cardinal justice. And I can only sit in envy at your many sightings of these beautiful birds! I can imagine how impressive they’d look in the snow.
I know it’s a lively piece, but I was a bit taken aback just then, as I was sure the light in his eye was moving… but it’s that falling snow effect 😛 Oops!
Thanks, Jacob! 😃 hehe… that’s awesome!! It’s like it was alive for a moment then. well… also a bit creepy I guess. Figured the falling snow effect was worth turning on for a bit since it’s the Winter Wonderland theme.