Article content During a recent snowfall, the garden shrouded in a blanket of pure white snow, Mark’s wife Mary exclaimed, “the cardinals illuminate the yard.” During the long dark days of winter, every Canadian looks for illumination. The temptation to find it might be turning on your TV or iPad. But there is another way to shorten winter, and that is by turning to nature. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser. The Cullens: Great Backyard Bird Count is citizen science at its best Back to video The native birds that stay over winter in our climate provide a window into something extraordinary. When, in our history, has there been a better time to slow down, and observe avian activity than during the pandemic?