Known colloquially as “snowbirds,” dark-eyed juncos are often linked to winter. These small, gray, seed-eating birds in the sparrow family are most often seen in Massachusetts from fall migration in October to spring migration in April. But what many people might not realize is that juncos can be found in the Commonwealth year-round, and often breed in our conifer forests. Learn more about juncos and enjoy five images from past editions of our photo contests.

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Lee Fortier

2011 Focus on Feeders Entry © Eladi Bermudez

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Ronelle Adams

2012 Focus on Feeders Entry © Anne Greene

2012 Photo Contest Entry © Kristin Shoemaker

View the winners of the 2015 Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest.

Snowy owls are special winter visitors to our state. These enormous birds may appear in high numbers when food is plentiful at their arctic nesting grounds and they raise lots of young. Learn more about Mass Audubon’s efforts to rescue and track their movements and enjoy these five remarkable images from past editions of our Photo Contest.

2013 Photo Contest Entry © Bill Wakeham

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Diane Robertson

2015 Photo Contest Entry © David Morris

2015 Photo Contest Entry © Gary McPhee

2014 Photo Contest Entry © Nathan Goshgarian

View the winners of the 2015 Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest.