Spring is fast approaching in the southern United States, and my local birds are looking fat and healthy after spending the winter recovering from last year’s breeding season. They are involved in mating and nesting behaviors including feeding one another, displaying, marking and protecting territory, and even gathering nesting materials. Momma and Poppa cardinal are both looking well fed and have sleek new feathers in. They are spending most of their time together, and he is very protective of her again. In this photo, Momma was in the process of grabbing a snack while Poppa was perched up in the oak tree singing to announce to everyone that this was his territory. It was very interesting to watch how the other birds were reacting to his song.