"What Cheer! What Cheer!"

That familiar mnemonic of the Northern Cardinal’s song came to mind when I heard him this morning. I was out there with this pinecone and freezing fingers. He's early. Normally, I don't hear Cardinals singing until mid-January; but sing he did on this 16° morning! Maybe it was the glorious sunshine that had him happy.

[Barbz]

Your pine cones are so different from ours. I love the 'drooping' (not really) comp. Downward might be a better word.

[Living at the beach 365 days a year!]

Beautiful composition. Simple, but elegant too! Fav

[Lin]

Lovely composition and lighting!

[Lynne Hart]

Really unusual fir cone, lovely lighting.

[Janet B.]

@bzarrella Thank you for your kind comment and follow, Barb! I truly appreciate your kindness and your interest in my project! :-)

[Janet B.]

@nydelignorsk Thank you so much for your comment and fav! So appreciated!

[Janet B.]

@linnypinny Thank you kindly, Lin! I always appreciate your comments!

[Janet B.]

@lhart Thank you, Lynne! This pinecone is hanging on a Weeping White Pine. I love their elongated shape.

[Razzmatazz Is The New Black]

Beautiful. There is a town in Iowa named What Cheer. I wonder if that's where the name came from.

[Dinah Pinkston]

Beautiful lines and composition! Most of our pinecones are rather round and fat; I like the elongated look to yours.

[Jane Anderson]

Very pretty image, and how wonderful to hear a cardinal! We don't have them here, and I think they are so beautiful.

[mittens (Marilyn)]

I love how it all drapes down. Beautiful capture, Janet.

[Margo]

Love this A fav

[~*~ Jo ~*~]

Lovely comp

[Janet B.]

@777margo I really appreciate your comment and fav, Margo! Thank you so much! :-)

[Janet B.]

@razzmatazz Thank you so much for your kind comment! What a pretty name for a town. I love hearing the Cardinal's "What Cheer!" song. Mnemonics are so helpful in identifying bird songs!

[Janet B.]

@dsp2 Thank you so much! :-)

[Janet B.]

@cejaanderson Thank you, Jane! I was surprised to hear him belting out his tune this morning!

[Janet B.]

@mittens Thank you very much, Marilyn! :-)

[Janet B.]

@ziggy77 Thank you, Jo! :-)

[bkb in the city]

Lovely shot

[Milanie]

What an unusual pinecone - don't think I've ever seen one this long Wonder if the weeping white pine grows in Arkansas - will have to check on that. Really nicely composed with super lighting.

[Sandy]

Nice sharp detail on that pine cone.

[Cathie]

What a lovely shot, Janet. I love the composition.

[Janet B.]

@milaniet Such a nice comment, Milanie. Thank you!

[Janet B.]

@skstein I really appreciate your kind comment, Sandy. Thank you! :-)

[Janet B.]

@cathieg Thank you, Cathie! So nice. :-)

[Sylvia du Toit]

Fav!

[Janet B.]

@sdutoit Thank you! :-)

[Kate Goring]

How wonderful it must have been, a serenade while taking pictures. Beautiful shot, lovely focus.

[Janet B.]

@kategoring Such a nice comment, Kate. Thank you! The serenade was wonderful! :-)

[Gena Pegg]

Lovely pov and focus. Love the textures. What a treat to hear your Cardinal on such a beautiful morning. We don't have them here, but would love to see one.

[Stephanie Swift]

Love the light, comp and framing, fav! Lovely to hear a cardinal already. I believe there is also a Christmas carol called "What Cheer".

[Janet B.]

@tristansmum Thank you so much for your fav and your generous comment! It really was a treat to hear the Cardinal. I'm going to Google that Christmas carol as I haven't heard it before!

[Janet B.]

@eyesmile Thank you for your sweet comment and the fav, Gena! Perhaps you'll travel into Cardinal territory some day and get a chance to see and hear one. They are so beautiful.