This time of year, I sit in an east-facing window with my morning cup, absorbing as much light through my eyes into my brain as I can, to stave away symptoms of SAD. It’s my giant lightbox. 🙂
Yesterday, this male Northern Cardinal seemed to be doing the same thing, trying to warm himself in the rising sun. A chilly wind buffeted his crest, which, along with his beak, glowed in the morning light. Cardinals, often associated with Christmas, symbolize hope, love, cheer, pride, focus, creativity, energy and renewal.
I realized we weren’t all that different, he and I, dependent upon the light and warmth of the sun. Feeling a connection, I quietly enjoyed our peaceful moment together.
Wishing you and yours a warm, wonderful and peaceful holiday season.
Eliza Waters 
What a lovely shared moment – he’s a beauty! Wishing you all the best for Christmas Eliza.
Many thanks, Andrea. May your holiday be full of dear moments.
Thank you, dear Eliza, for sharing this peaceful Cardinal moment with us, and reminding us that we’re all on this beautiful earth together. Thank you for sharing so many of your garden moments with us this year, and the light and beauty that surrounds you.
Thank you, Jet. I hope the year ahead holds many great moments for you both. x
The Cardinal is a valuable bird then indeed, with all those wonderful attributes it symbolizes. May your year ahead be full of Cardinals Eliza!
Thank you, Denzil! Best wishes to you!
Cardinals are so magical! Merry Christmas Eliza!
Thank you very much!
Watching and enjoying the gorgeous feathered friends, .especially when we leave bird seed out and suet (which I now bring in every late afternoon, so possums or coons won’t devour it), is so fun…and the birds ‘know you’…I’ve had lots of fun going through photos on my iPad of grand daughter, BST caterpillars, flowers, veggies and occasional wildlife that I was fortunate to see…a doe, a fawn a stag, a ‘coon, twice…days will be getting longer as we start the cycle again. Looking forward to buying Pansies, bees coming out of their hives…wondering what will be growing out of the compost this year. Making soup with healthy ingredients. Lots to keep busy and appreciate. Enjoy your Christmas time, family, friends Wren…other kitty and Bunny! ❤️
Thank you so much, Alice. I appreciate you! ❤
Great reminder how similar we all are.
“All My Relations” came to mind. ❤ Blessings!
Love the picture, I saw one yesterday, then read “seeing a Cardinal means someone in heaven is thinking about you” Happy Holidays.
Thank you, Amelia. That’s a lovely thought!
What lovely sentiments to go with that handsome Cardinal. Holidays greetings to you as well, Eliza.
Thank you, Judy!
Sounds like a wonderful spot! Merry basking!
Thank you, Laurie!
Basking is a good word!
Thank you, Hien. I’m really good at it! 😀
Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing this peaceful moment!🙂
Thank you, best wishes to you all!
Love this shared moment Eliza. I came home the other day to find a very sleepy terrier enjoying the sun coming in the window. It really nourishes body, mind and soul. Enjoy 🌞
Thank you, Val. Now that is a sweet homecoming. ❤
Happy Holidays!
Thank you!
You’re welcome
I like basking myself. Merry Christmas, Eliza, and best wishes for the new year (may it be sunny most days).
Thank you very much, Lisa. Best wishes back at ya!
What a lovely post! Love & hugs to you & yours in this Light-increasing season……
Thank you! Yes, to the increasing light! xo
Our European robin has similar attributes and they are so friendly they will virtually sit on your spade.
That must be something to see!
Same to you. Merry Christmas! How nice to see the Cardinals! I read their range extends all the way to Mexico and even Guatemala. They don’t migrate, they’re just permanent residents where they were born.
Thank you, Maria!
I know how you feel Eliza. We have to soak up every ray of sunshine we can. That was a great shot of the cardinal. Wishing you and your family a peaceful holiday season.
Thank you very much, Sarah. ❤
I don’t think I have SAD but I do love the sun’s warmth when I’m puttering in the garden, especially when the temperatures are chilly (which in my estimation includes those in the low 60s). I hope you enjoy sunny mornings throughout the holiday period. Merry Christmas, Eliza!
Thank you very much, Kris. I would be thrilled with temps in the low 60s! Hope you have a lovely week ahead.
You too Eliza, have a wonderful Festive holiday. May you enjoy more of that winter sunlight.
Thank you, Karina!
Lovely post Eliza! Best wishes for the holiday season!
Thank you, Belinda!
Merry Christmas! I love to see cardinals in my sweetheart’s garden but have never even come close to getting a picture of one. We don ‘t have them in England.
Thank you, Susan. Cardinals are a real bright spot in our winter landscape. Luckily, this one tarried long enough for me to get a shot.
Beautiful, thank you so much. I wish you the same, Eliza 🍒🍒🍒
Thank you, Nomzi!
Wishing you a wonderful holiday, Eliza! Thank you for this lovely post and sweet photo. 😊
Thank you, Betty!
I haven’t had a chance to comment yet, but I enjoy reading your blog & especially your story today about the Red Cardinal. My neighbour hangs an ornamental one on her door every Christmas after spending some time in the US. It is nice to know all that he symbolises. ( I live in Australia) Best wishes for Christmas & the New Year.
Thank you for your visit and comment. Cardinals are almost tropical in coloring, our brightest resident bird. They really are lovely to see flying through our bleak winter landscape.
Kickin’ back and soaking up some rays! 😀
Absolutely – we’re starving here! 😉
Enjoy your sunshine! Have a warm and happy Christmas Eliza. (We are in front of a roaring fire)
Thank you, Allison. The fire sounds nice and cozy. 🙂
How lovely! Sending warm wishes.
Thank you, Fi!
Gorheous picture, what a beautiful bird. Happy Christmas Eliza.
Thank you, Chloris!
Enjoy the warmth. Beautiful pic as always. Merry Christmas and warmest wishes for the new year. Thank you for your presence and encouragement over the year.
Thank you!
Such a beautiful shared moment Eliza, I love the way the cardinal looks over its shoulder at you. May the holidays bring you many more blessings 🤗💖🐦🎄 xxx
Thank you, Xenia!
Thanks for sharing the light and warmth of this special shared moment. Merry Christmas to you both!
Thank you very much, Peter!
Beautiful bird! I hope you are having a good Christmas, Eliza. And have a lovely new year, too.
Thank you, Val. All the best to you in the year ahead!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you!
Such a beautiful bird. Hope you get plenty of light and warmth this holiday season!
Thank you, Celia!
Beautiful moment Eliza. I once saw a bright red cardinal bird while visiting Connecticut and it was a special moment too. Birds are such a blessing in our lives.
So true, I can’t imagine life without our feathered friends. Thanks, Agnes.
What a beauty and a great shot Eliza
Thank you, Luda!
Wishing you all those things and more! Happy Basking!
Thank you, Ricki!
That sounds like a wonderful spot there in the sun. Today I was able to enjoy a little light outside and it felt great after all the gloom of the recent weeks.
All the best for a wonderful holiday season!
Thank you very much, Frank. Happy 2019!
How lovely to share across species such a connection as basking in the warming rays of the morning winter sun and appreciate our common needs and dependencies. Wishing you more sun-filled mornings this winter and a peaceful holiday season.
Thank you very much, Carol.
This cardinal may be called northern, but we’ve got them down here in Austin, too.
My understanding is that they originated down south and have slowly moved northward over time. One does wonder how they were named ‘northern.’
Love it. 🥰
Thank you, Bela!
What a lovely post and photo! Made me smile this morning 🙂
Glad to know that, thanks – have a great day!
Hello Eliza, I think it always helps to feel kinship with other non-human animals, going about their daily lives just as we go about ours. We all need sunlight and we are all grateful for it in the winter months, just like you and your Cardinal friend. I’m glad you found this moment of connection and could feel that moment of joy and kinship. Those moments are important :). Rebecca x
Hi Rebecca, so nice to hear from you. Yes, it did feel like a kinship, no separation as two beings sharing the same moment.
Wishing you the same, Eliza. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful moment with us. 🙂 (And all of the other wonderful moments you share throughout the year!)
Thank you, Robin! My pleasure.
Beautiful moment Eliza!
Thank you, Maria!
What a beautiful photo! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, my pleasure!
A beautiful bird and a great photo Eliza. Wishing you a very happy new year and lots of sunshine and light to start off the new year! I haven’t needed my lamp this winter yet as it hasn’t been as grey as usual, but I know how it feels when the days are so short.
Thank you, Cathy. Winter can be tough without enough sunlight. Tomorrow I’m heading south for a week’s getaway to longer days and warmer sun. So excited to escape!
Very nice Eliza! Cardinals are wonderfully symbolic and can also be associated with reincarnation, especially the spirit of family members. Cardinal has come to a good friend only at 2 different times when she lost family members.
Thank you, Denise. I know a couple people who say the same. They are such beautiful birds.
What an unusual bird. Good that you could share the moment together.
Thank you, Alison. Cardinals are our only all-red bird and greatly admired here.