Christmas cards are something that I’ve created for years. No telling how long it has been, just many many years. All year long I’m wondering what will be my choice as December draws near. It’s early in the year and though the high temperature today was 73° there’s a chance of weather appropriate for the subject of a card coming up tomorrow. Snow? Sleet? Crazy weather. It is not supposed to be in the 70s on February 23. But maybe tomorrow will make up for it. Bring on the cold.

Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) seem an appropriate subject, particularly if snow is involved. No need for me to entice Cardinals to come to my feeders. I think I’ve got the magic draw without giving it any thought. Black oil sunflower seeds and a bird bath filled with water.

These birds that don’t migrate. I appreciate that. They’re here all year long. Adding crimson or buff to the landscape whether against the many shades of green of summer or the blacks and whites of winter.

Northern Cardinals are included in a long list of birds that will attack reflections of themselves not just in windows or mirrors but chrome bumpers, shiny grills, gazing balls, or similar shiny surfaces. They become convinced that what they see is a rival bird and will attack it incessantly. Right Gary? There are many suggestions listed on the Internet on how to discourage this behavior. Seems that it takes as much determination on the homeowner’s part as the determination the Cardinal has to overcome the problem.

But for me, I am looking forward to tomorrow and seeing what the weather brings. Maybe the perfect scene for a Cardinal to pose for a Christmas card. Got my fingers crossed.