As I walked across the lawn, Jordon or Tom (?) called out, “Hey, Jen! Want to band a Cardinal?”
I knew why they asked. Cardinals have very strong bills and their bite can be quite painful. Still, I answered, “Sure!”
(My, I look old and wrinkly in this picture. That’s what getting up at 4:30 a.m. two days in a row will do for you… well… that and living on the planet for several decades… Or maybe my new camera is defective. Yeah… that’s it…)
You have to use a special band for Cardinals… Steel. I squeezed and squeezed, but couldn’t get it to close. Had to give it over to Tom:
After the wing and tail measurements, Tom suggested I take a bill measurement, too… just for practice. I had never used the calipers before. They are pretty cool:
Isn’t he a handsome boy? Interestingly, he never bit me… But he bit everyone else who held him: Tom, Jordon, and Solon.
Good Birdie. Nice Birdie.
A Passion for Nature 
A very beatiful crest on that bird. Glad you made it out unscathed. I am sure the wrinkles are just some scratches on the camera.
He must have liked your gentle touch, Jen!
Lucky you! That last shot is simply gorgeous
Grosbeaks are worse
and oh dear I get up for work at 4 am every day!
Gosh he’s a handsome bird! Good job Jenn!
OK, dumb question……why do cardinals need a steel leg band? Do the other birds get aluminum ones? (need to know since I’m hoping to get into bird banding too). Thanks
nice
You don’t look old. I think you’re fooled by your own look of intense concentration. The last photo of the male cardinal is awesome !!