Holiday Light:WhiteLight Design Holiday Card,Atlanta,GA

Holiday Card
2007

Dedicated and in Honor of Nathan C. Birchfield
12/6/22 - 12/9/07

The earth lies Silent, softly shrouded in a blanket of white –

Then a glimmer of color spreads, revealing a Glorious landscape.

The Light filters through as a new day awakens from the slumber of night.

The Cardinal stands watch with his mate over all of his domain –

His attributes of loyalty, devotion and steadfast strength unwavering,

A hinting toward the Gifts of the Season.

The Promise of the Day upon the horizon, will soon bring a bustle of activity –

Families and friends scurrying about, Busy with deeds of love

for those much cherished.

And so we remember precious times past – And savor shared moments we

now gratefully enjoy, Looking with Hope to a future that’s Bright

with Fondest Dreams Fulfilled!

From the Spirit

WhiteLight Design

“We have always held to the hope, the belief,
the conviction that there is a better life, a better world,
beyond the horizon.” by Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Illustrator: Willis Author: Debbie (Birchfield) Whiteside

Nathan C. Birchfield, The Cardinal
WWII Veteran - Clay County, Alabama
Beloved Brother, Husband, Father, Step Father,
Grand (4) & Great Grand Father(6+4) and Mentor

We dedicate this year’s holiday card in honor of Nathan and the proud Cardinal ever looking over his mate, Jacquelyn. The illustration is of the beautiful red Cardinal which is the state bird for Kentucky: Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia, also called the "Virginia Nightingale” as Nathan was always singing his song of truth and practical lessons or trying to get you to laugh at a joke.

The Cardinal does not migrate in winter and it’s song is always unique to the area and individual bird. Each bird sing’s his own song - to attract the perfect faithful mate. (Jacquelyn). Common whistles include "cheer cheer cheer," "whit-chew whit-chew" and "purty purty purty.", while calls are soft "tsip" and "pink" notes. Studies show that females prefer the reddest males with the brightest hue and intensity of color. The drab olive-golden brown color of the female helps camouflage her from predators, especially during the nesting season.

Cardinals nest and lay three or four eggs from late March until early summer, two to three times a year in nests of twigs, vines and leaves, recognized for their thin cupped shape usually about four to five feet above the ground. Eggs are about an inch long, are a very pale or grayish blue with speckles, spots or blotches of purple, brown, or gray.

It takes approximately twelve to thirteen days for a Cardinal egg to hatch. The female cardinal will tend the nest of young fledglings for up to ten days; the male supplies the food. After that, the male Cardinal takes care of the brood while the female begins a second clutch (birds hatched at the same time) in a new nest.

Young cardinals have blackish-gray down with orange skin. They learn to fly about eleven days after hatching. Most live only for a year or two, but can live up to sixteen years. The Cardinal also symbolizes of the time-honored virtues: Justice, Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, Faith, Hope and Charity - Nathan to the Model ”T”. Only one egg survived this nest but it produced the most beautiful female and daughters I have ever seen and that I have been blessed to be mated with, God Bless.

WW

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