One of my blogging buddies, Michael over at A Certain Line, has an affinity for Cardinals; so when I saw these beauties while sorting through recent photos, it seemed a cardinal sin not to share them!

The males, in all their magnificence, are absolutely stunning these days. Seems like they alternate between trying to look ferocious and trying to look flirtatious.  One minute they are dive-bombing each other, boldly proclaiming their territory; the next minute they’ve gone all Prince Charming, determined to woo the ladies.

The females have been showing up too, and so far they seem less than impressed with the fellows!

Hmm…five pictures just won’t do…some residual Catholicism from my youth compels me to add two more.  There simply has to be seven pictures in a post entitled “A Cardinal Sin”!

Now, with their beautiful appearance, it’s understandable that these birds might battle a bit of arrogance (pretty sure pride is first on the list) but I hereby absolve them of all guilt from vain-glory as they make my world a more glorious place!