This morning, I’m sharing images of a male Northern Cardinal taken in the same oak tree here in Arkansas during different seasons: spring and winter.

These photos may even show the same male cardinal. I can’t be certain about that because they can all look alike.

Spring adult male Northern Cardinal in an oak tree, Sebastian County, ArkansasSpring adult male Northern Cardinal in an oak tree – Nikon D500, f8, 1/400, ISO 800, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Northern Cardinals are birds I never saw in Utah. The only time I encountered them while living there was during trips back to Virginia to visit my family.

On those trips, I didn’t have my bird photography gear with me, so I would simply admire the cardinals and listen to their calls and songs.

Here in Arkansas and Oklahoma, I see and hear these beautiful birds nearly everywhere I go. I never want to take cardinals for granted—that is for sure.

Winter adult male Northern Cardinal in an oak tree, Sebastian County, ArkansasWinter adult male Northern Cardinal in an oak tree – Canon R7, f8, 1/320, ISO 1250, -0.3 EV, Canon 100-400mm at 400mm, natural light

When I took this male Northern Cardinal image in late December, I already knew I wanted to share it alongside an image of a male cardinal in spring, both photographed in the same oak tree. Seasons are cycles, and these two images show two different ones.

I wish the fall color of this oak had been better, but the drought affected it this year, causing the leaves to transition from green to brown very quickly.

I’ve had a marvelous time photographing Northern Cardinals since leaving Utah behind in my rearview mirror.

I’d love to photograph both female and male Northern Cardinals in a snowy setting this winter. It doesn’t snow much—or all that often—here, but maybe the bird photography goddess will smile on me and send some snow my way soon.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Northern Cardinal photos plus facts and information about this species.