juvenile northern cardinal

Most photos of cardinals you see has these guys looking dapper and elegant and dignified in their crimson attire. Then there's this guy. A juvenile male that's sort of gangly and scruffy, like an unkempt teenager. Had to zoom in a long way to get this, but I didn't want to disturb him and it had...

Juvenile Northern Cardinal learning the ropes in my back yard.

For as many adult Cardinals as I have, I am really surprised at how few juvies I am seeing.

I realized I hadn't posted one shot of the many juvie Cardinals hanging about.

I have never experienced such a long breeding season as I have for the Northern Cardinals. I must have more than 4 dozen juvies varying in age around here.

What a cutey.

I guess it's the time of year when all the local birds are hatching their young. Saw two Northern Cardinal juveniles a couple of days ago including this one. Note the dark bill. I almost thought I had a new bird until someone reminded me that Cardinal juveniles have dark bills that change to...

An unexpected visitor to my Blue Jay perch.

No, not really. This Juvie Northern Cardinal was just giving itself a good scratch