Meteorological winter began Dec. 1; it is close to halfway through. We've gained 21 minutes of daylight as of Friday since the solstice Dec. 21. So it's time to hear the first whistled "what-cheer, ...

Thump. Thud. Something was hitting our window! It was a bright red cardinal flying at his reflected image in the glass - which he perceived to be an intruder in his territory. The bird kept it up for ...