Northern Cardinal: Kennebunk, Maine, USA, February 2026 — Yesterday we had snow in the morning, and the feeders were predictably busy. Even the cardinal, who I only see in our yard a few times a month, showed up several times. After the first visit, I went to get my camera. I was on starling guard duty all morning anyway, trying to limit the uptake of mealworms and give the bluebirds their turns at the feeder, so I was there and ready the next two times the cardinal came. These photos are through the double-glazed back deck door. I can’t get right up to the door without startling the cardinal, so they were taking from well inside the kitchen. The dull light of the snowstorm helped limit reflections from the window glass. Interesting as that is 🙂 the real story is the bird itself, so vivid and vibrant in the falling snow. And so expressive. I am not sure what the cardinal is thinking, but I can easily imagine all sorts of thoughts. Probably you can too. Sony a6700. Sigma 16-300 at 450mm (cropped to something like 800mm equivalent field of view). Program with bird and wildlife modifications. Processed in Photomator and assembled in FrameMagic.