A florescent red flash in the shrubs behind my house caught my eye, and I focused with my telephoto lens just in time to see the cardinal emerging from the tangled branches. It was a surprise, in the middle of winter- ice clings to some of the twigs. I realized that this cardinal was not alone, as his less brilliant mate was still hiding in the shrubs. She had, apparently, chased him away from a comfortable perch in the winter sun.