Yesterday I was doing some garden clean-up and bulb planting on the south side of my property when I found a perfectly formed bird's nest on top of one of the chrysanthemums.  It had evidently dropped from the large holly tree overhead.  I think there is always something serendipitous about finding such things.

Cardinals are frequent visitors to our garden throughout the year, and sometimes we are lucky enough to have a pair nesting somewhere in the yard.  A few years ago a pair set up shop amidst the tangle of leaves and canes at the top of our rose arch.  We were able to watch the entire nesting and chick-rearing process from our back porch.   When the largest chick was ready to fledge, he spent many hours balanced precariously (at least in my opinion) on the edge of the nest.  Like any mother, I worried about his safety.  The next morning he was gone without a trace, so he must have been ready to fly.

We have included many fruit-bearing plants like holly and viburnum in the garden to attract the cardinals and their avian cousins.  Since we are organic gardeners, the supply of insects is plentiful and diverse.  I take joy in all the birds, but because of their bright color, lovely song and seemingly sociable disposition, cardinals are my favorites.  I think that I will buy some small plastic eggs, put them in the little nest and attach it to my Christmas tree this December.  I can't think of a more fitting place for it.