Maskless Cardinal

 

My husband took this picture of a maskless cardinal today. Last year we had one at the feeder, also. We do not know if this is the same one. Probably. He has a genetic trait missing eumelanin. The internet says wild cardinals live on average 3-5 years so maybe we will see him next winter, too. 

We have had lots of cardinals at the feeder the last few days. As many as 6 at one time. I have been watching for the odd-ball guy, but this is the first time we have noticed him this winter. 

It was 11 degrees when I got up this morning. Now it is 5 degrees at 11:30 a.m. and expected to fall to 3 by this evening. We have a brisk wind blowing light snow off the roofs and ground into the air. January in northern Indiana.