A few Sundays ago I hooked up with two of my bird-obsessed friends from journalism and we walked through Franklin Park, cameras at the ready. I didn't expect much — it's winter and we were out in the early afternoon. That's far from prime-time for birds, which are most active early in the morning or toward evening. I was amazed with what we saw. Here are a few shots I managed. If you have your own birding photos from Franklin Park, please share them!

JP photographer Andrew McFarland roamed the neighborhood earlier this week looking for holiday decorations. Here's some of what he found. You can add your own photos of JP holiday displays to this gallery. And speaking of decorating, Patch is running a nationwide contest for the best-decorated home. The pubic school district in the winner's community will get a $100,000 donation from Patch. For more Local Connections articles, please visit this topic page.

Late November offered unseasonably mild temperatures that even tricked some trees on the Common into blooming. JP photographer Andrew McFarland captured these images of the "heat wave," when temperatures stayed in the 60s. But with the calendar's turn into December, we're back at more appropriately chilly temperatures. It was nice while it lasted.

Attendees tasted samplings from 24 local restaurants and two local breweries in Jamaica Plain and the surround area. Along with the fabulous food and drink, there was a silent auction and wonderful sounds by the Kevin Harris Project. Proceeds from the event went to Ecumenical Social Action Committee. The committee provides foreclosure prevention counseling, senior home repairs, education and home visits to assist children and adults better manage their asthma through their Boston Asthma Initiative, GED Plus classes and support for youth ages 16-24, plus maintenance of the Egleston Square …

Hyde Square Task Force, one of the neighborhood's most active and impact-making nonprofits, is being celebrated with a photo exhibit at Bella Luna through Dec. 31. Tonight from 6-8 p.m., photographer and Task Force Board Member Mark Saperstein hosts a reception and celebration. The event is free and open to everyone. Pizza will be served and there's a cash bar. Here are a few of the images you'll see on display.

Here are some of the best photos from Halloween 2011 as reflected in the six Patches covering Boston neighborhoods. Here are links to the stories from which these photos come: Patch's Little Pumpkin Costume Challenge (Jamaica Plain) Whole Foods Protesters Say "We Haven't Given Up" (Jamaica Plain) Happy Halloween! (Back Bay Patch) Halloween at the Boston Medical Center (South End Patch) Peters Park Halloween Festival (South End Patch) Halloween on Beacon Hill — The Scene Zume's Pumpkin Carving Contest (Charlestown Patch)

West Roxbury's Paul Treseler ventured into the thick of the Occupy Boston protests in downtown Boston. This is his photo gallery.

The Native American Indian Center of Boston gathered as a community for a weekend of music, dancing, and culture Sept. 17 and 18.

Last Sunday was the 10-year mark since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In Jamaica Plain, surrounding towns and the city of Boston, ceremonies and events marked the occasion. Here is a look at those 9/11 photos.

Thursday was the first day of school for most Boston Public schools, including the Manning, nestled in the Moss Hill neighborhood of Jamaica Plain. JP photographer Courtney Sacco was there to capture the rainy first day, which included visits from Gov. Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas Menino. Feel free to add your own "First Day of School" photos. There's a link to do so under the existing photos.

White Stadium resounded with cheers on Monday, Aug. 29, and celebratory music could be heard across Franklin Park during the late-summer evening. There were no sporting uniforms on the field, however. The bold golds, reds and blues marching down the track were Boston high school students in cap and gown. Approximately 235 students were awarded a diploma in a special, district-wide graduation ceremony. As part of the district’s Acceleration Agenda, students only a few credits short of graduating worked through the summer in a credit recovery program, established by Boston Superintendent Carol …

Each Thursday we post "Viewfinder," a photo gallery from life in JP, usually as seen through the eyes of photographers who live in JP. This week we look back at the ten best images from the first ten months of the existence of JP Patch, which launched on Oct. 7, 2010.

Each Thursday, Patch brings you a special glimpse of Jamaica Plain with Viewfinder. This week, photographer Erika Diaz captured a quiet, sun-drenched morning at the Arnold Arboretum.  The Arboretum is open to all and offers free, weekly guided tours during the summer. 

Jamaica Plain is known for many things, but what few realize - except for those who often peruse JP's juxtaposed neighborhoods and side streets - is that it's a hot spot for color-happy homes. Bright orange, shades of easter egg, or multiple colors splashed onto one house are not uncommon. In this week's Viewfinder, we bring you the top ten colorful homes we've spotted in Jamaica Plain. 

On Wednesday evening, the Leland Street Community Garden, which nestles right up the fence of Forest Hills Cemetery, played host to musician Lloyd Thayer for a free concert. Boston Natural Areas Network sponsored the concert. Here are some images of the evening, as seen by JP photographer Courtney Sacco.

Thousands thronged the 45th Annual Puerto Rican Festival over Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Franklin Park. This peppy video gives a flavor of the festivities.

The provincial capital Baní, in the Dominican Republic, is the ancestral home of many Jamaica Plain residents. On Sunday, "Convite Banilejo" celebrated these rich ties. The event was held near Stony Brook T.

Tuesday they were sweating, Wednesday dripping rain, but the colorful Boston weather just couldn't send them home. Local farmers and vendors at Jamaica Plain's farmers markets are doggedly dedicated to their customers. "JP customers tend to tough it out," said Curtis Stillman, of Stillmans Farm from central MA. "They come rain or shine, so we do too." Stillman has manned the Stillman Farm stand, now on Centre Street, with his father, Glenn Stillman, for over 25 years. Across from them is Flats Mentor Farm, from Lancaster, who are new to JP this year. "Someone finally has callaloo," said …

On Sunday, Boston Police officers played a team of neighborhood youth in the "Meet the Face Behind the Badge" basketball tournament at Bromley-Heath. JP photographer Courtney Sacco captured these images.

For 16 years federal agents searched for James "Whitey" Bulger. Last night, at an apartment complex in Santa Monica, Calif., he and his girlfriend Catherine Greig were apprehended after a nationwide campaign launched earlier in the week asking the public's help to find Greig in the hopes Bulger would be nearby. The notorious crime boss left his mark on Boston history and the Bay State. Patch takes a pictorial look at locations throughout the city and neighboring communities which played a part in Bulger’s crime spree.