The Great Blue Heron as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come, appearing out of the fog to stand motionless and stare into your soul.
Great Blue Heron. Photo: Susan Dimock/Audubon Photography Awards
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Blue Jay, who will steal your peanuts, bully everyone at the feeder, and screech about it—but deep down, that heart's at least three sizes bigger than it lets on.
Blue Jay. Photo: Adrienne Elliot/Audubon Photography Awards
Elf
The Cedar Waxwing, which shows up in big chaotic groups, gets drunk on fermented berries, and spreads joy aggressively.
Cedar Waxwings. Photo: Shravan Sundara/Audubon Photography Awards
Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer
The Northern Cardinal, the only spot of color on the grayest winter days.
Northern Cardinal. Photo: Donna Donohue/Audubon Photography Awards
A Christmas Story
The Wild Turkey—scrappy, American, and absolutely willing to fight a mailman.
Wild Turkeys. Photo: October Greenfield/Audubon Photography Awards
White Christmas
The Snowy Owl, stunning, rare, and absolutely knows it.
Snowy Owls. Photo: Sarah Blackstone/Audubon Photography Awards
It's A Wonderful Life
The Eastern Bluebird, which nearly disappeared until people started building nest boxes and believing it mattered.
