In the spring of 2025, I was looking out of the windows at the rear of our home. I happily spied a male cardinal during its mating dance performed to win the heart of a nearby female cardinal.

 

I always love seeing male cardinals with their bright red feathers, but when I am outside with them, they never stick around long enough for me to photograph them. Thus, I was thrilled that I could view this activity without disturbing the birds and especially excited that I was easily able to take several photos. It was late afternoon on a clear day with the sun angled low in the sky. The intense sunlight brilliantly lit up the scene and cast wonderful shadows.

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The clay planter that the birds are in front of is almost 20 years old. Surprisingly, it has not yet completely fallen apart since it has to survive freezing ice in the winter. I much prefer its current weathered and mossy look compared to when it was brand new and I hope that it will last a bit longer. Every year I plant different flower combinations in the pot. This particular year it contained vibrant hot pink New Guinea impatiens, black petunias, trailing bacopas with their tiny white flowers along with colorful ornamental clovers.