Can cardinals smile?
This past weekend, I was observing a male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) in the underbrush. He was busily pecking away, probably searching for something to eat.
All of the sudden he stopped what he was doing. Cocking his head to the side a little, he turned in my direction and smiled, or at least it seemed that way to me. The glint in his eye enhanced the effect, as though he was amused by my antics.
Smiling cardinals? I choose to believe in them.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 
I believe in them too! He definitely looks very pleased! What a beautiful bird, I hope I one day get to see one in real life.
I just learned today that Cardinals are the state bird for Virginia, the state in which I live. I was really happy that they were here throughout the winter. Although we didn’t get much snow at all, the bright red of the cardinal was a nice relief from the grayness of the winter days. I do hope that you can see them someday, though that would require a trip across the Atlantic, I suspect.
The state bird for Illinois is the Northern Cardinal which looks a lot like a Cardinal. Great photo.
Thanks. I learned yesterday that the Northern Cardinal is also the state bird for Virginia, where I live. (And the bird in the photo is a male Northern Cardinal).