Northern Cardinal - early morning feeding

The last few times I went to one of my favorite parks, I simply wasn't spotting many birds.

My suspicion was that it was not due to the fact there weren't any birds there, but instead I was arriving too late. I usually get there near lunch or in the early afternoon.

So I went there first thing in the morning...

...and found that not only was the forest alive with Northern Cardinals, they were hunting for food with a real hunger and passion!

I saw several males, by themselves, nimbly hopping and fluttering through the outskirts of the treeline.

They were constantly pivoting, leaning, dropping, and soaring back up into the trees.

That brilliant red color looks so amazing against the brown and green of the forest background.

This male caught what I think is a beetle.

I enjoy watching them in the morning, they are so full of life!

They twist and slide through the branches with ease and precision.

All pictures taken by @rawruss with a Nikon D3400 w/ 70-300mm lens in August 2018 in North Florida.