I've never lived anywhere I could see dark-eyed juncos year-round.

They do overwinter at my current location though. 

Somehow they always cheer me up a bit.

Maybe it's the smaller family groups, or the more calm and measured way they scour the ground for food. Or maybe it's how easily they lose themselves in the ashen and sober, crisped and sere winter landscape. Little wisps of dust and fog tumbling about the rest.