Northern Cardinal strikes a holiday pose

Flying Lessons Postcard

A bird made for the holidays

This Northern Cardinal kicks off our holiday photo series this week, celebrating the season with some of our favorite scenes. Unlike about 40 percent of the species that abandon us for warmer climates this time of year, the cardinal sticks with us through the winter. Its bright red plumage seems made for the holidays, particular when surrounded by greenery. Each week, we’ll post a photo and a few thoughts to share on the special lessons that birds have for us during the holidays. We love how this male cardinal strikes his stately pose in the top photo and then takes flight in this secondary photo, its wings nearly translucent in the light.