Who doesn't stop transfixed, when seeing the exquisite red of a cardinal, against the stark white snow of winter...

The cardinal is often referred to in folklore as connected with the number 12. It can be seen during twelve months of the year, and it's eggs hatch in twelve days. Stories say that if a cardinal flies into your life, good luck will follow within twelve days, twelve weeks, twelve months or at twelve noon or midnight ... or maybe the twelve days of Christmas?