The cardinals finally gave up on the nest in the wax myrtle, and are now constructing a nest in the gardenia. The male acts as sentry while the female builds.

Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis ♂) in Portsmouth, Virginia. 

The cardinals finally gave up on the nest in the wax myrtle, and are now constructing a nest in the gardenia. The male acts as sentry while the female builds.

Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis ♂) in Portsmouth, Virginia. 

The robins insist on nesting in the wisteria over the mudroom door, even though all parties find the arrangement unsettling and unsatisfactory. Someone always gets startled when we emerge from our respective nests. 

American robin (Turdus migratorius ♀), in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Please click on any photo in the set for enlarged views. 

The robins insist on nesting in the wisteria over the mudroom door, even though all parties find the arrangement unsettling and unsatisfactory. Someone always gets startled when we emerge from our respective nests. 

American robin (Turdus migratorius ♀), in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Please click on any photo in the set for enlarged views.