It's not long before he's back on ground, foraging in the leaf meal, pecking around the forget-me-nots, glinting in the periwinkle.
He shines, this cardinal, his feathers brighter, as I've read they are this time of year. He's all decked out for the ladies, of course. And I'm lucky enough to be around for the show.
(Unfortunately, the cardinal couldn't be bothered to pose. But I did snap a quick photo from the rear.)