Between 6 and 6:30 a.m. this week, I have been getting a nifty show from the Cardinal family in the backyard.

   Just as Dad feeds the Mom during courtship, he also feeds the youngsters as they learn how to fly. 

    As far as I can tell, there are the Mom and Dad and two young in this little show, and the parents share feeding duties.

   The sequence below shows the male cardinal loading up on suet on various days, and feeding a loud and hungry Junior.