Brace yourself for a serious cuteness overload. It’s baby bird season in Massachusetts! Baby birds can be a lot of fun to watch (from a distance) as they hatch, grow, and eventually fledge.

It’s true that young birds face naturally tough odds for survival, but that’s nature’s way of maintaining a sustainable balance in the environment and makes it all the more special when we have the opportunity to witness baby birds successfully mature and leave the nest.

If you happen upon a helpless-looking baby songbird bird out of the nest, check out our primer on when to take action and when to leave well enough alone.

Here are five photos of baby birds and their parents from our Picture This: Your Great Outdoors photo contest. The 2019 photo contest is officially open, so send us your beautiful nature photography for a chance to win!