Ryan D.

For a lot of Massachusetts folks, summer is synonymous with the Cape. Families and friends have been flocking to the shores of Cape Cod every summer for generations. If this sounds like you, you don’t want to miss out on visiting Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary in Barnstable.

Sandy beaches, butterfly-filled meadows, woodland trails, and farm animals combine to make Long Pasture a unique experience. Gentle, varied trails lead to what some have called a “million dollar view”—with Barnstable Harbor flanked by the dunes of Sandy Neck Barrier Beach. Explore the expansive tidal flats or sign up for a kayak tour, boat cruise, or family nature program.

Whether or not you make it down to the Cape this summer, enjoy these five photos taken at Long Pasture and submitted to our Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest. The 2018 photo contest is open until September 30, so be sure to submit your beautiful nature photography soon!

Long Pasture © Hong Ren Wang

Monarch Butterfly at Long Pasture © Matthew Magann

Long Pasture © Frances Strawn

Long Pasture © Robert Allen

Horseshoe Crabs at Long Pasture © Gregory Malloy

Astronomy-lovers across New England gazed upward in wonder last week as Mars made its closest approach to Earth since 2003, shining big and red in the night sky. If you missed the event but still want to see some celestial marvels, you’re in luck—the Perseid meteor shower will be reaching its peak between August 11–13. A few of our wildlife sanctuaries are hosting watch parties and some have astronomy programs year-round, so be sure to look for an event in your area!

To celebrate our astral obsession, we’ve rounded up five stunning photographs of star trails and the night sky from our Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest. Enjoy these lovely images and submit your beautiful nature landscape photography to the 2018 photo contest today!

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Take 5: Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary

Take 5: Star Trails