My mother was a lifelong friend, inspiration, and teacher in so many ways. It was not long after she passed when a female cardinal started hanging around our back window. I felt the bird wanted to show me something. And then the male cardinal appeared and the two were dancing on the porch railing, seemingly playing a game. To me they were my parents, my mom now reuniting with my dad, having fun as they often did. From this moment on, I began to watch birds more closely, noticing their behaviors, traits, and habitats. It led to getting birdfeeders and getting to know many different ones. My other favorite is the Common Loon with it's dark red eye and eerie cry. So many more now too!