Jim Pottkotter

This is the Cassin's Finch. An immature male looks like a female, so we can't be sure of the sex. One eye is barely peeking open in this shot. He/she dozed off and on, a clear sign this bird was comfortable with me taking its photo. I love these moments of being accepted. #naturepic.twitter.com/fPJo7mhceW

Sometimes my persistence is rewarded by a bird that is singing, such as this male Painted Bunting. However, when birds are calling, their head seems to vibrate a bit as part of the process. You may notice that his head is not quite as sharp as the rest of the photo. #photographypic.twitter.com/H2epHmOTN6

I saw this male Spotted Towhee and worked feverishly to get a photo before he disappeared. I had little time to frame the bird the way I wanted. I'm glad I clicked away when I did because, after this shot, he gave me a parting glance and took off. #birding #nature #photographypic.twitter.com/stZIoCKpK8

Woodpeckers prefer the other side of a tree in the presence of cameras. They also perch where there is a tree between them and a camera. That was the case with this male Hairy Woodpecker on a distant tree, but I found a tiny opening where I could barely get this shot. #wildlifepic.twitter.com/bhaCwnAE0a

I'm blessed each year with some birds, while others are just outside my grasp. This year I've been able to capture the Yellow-throated Warbler like the one here. I was so grateful to get this pose. Other birds on my life list seem to always be just outside my grasp. #birdingpic.twitter.com/U2NQVTe6Xv

All About Birds describes the male Vermilion Flycatcher as "A feathered ember in a desert landscape..." This one was flying out from low limbs and catching insects flying just above the ground. He was fun to watch and gave me several different looks between flights. #naturepic.twitter.com/gjnaIgT7rI

This somewhat unremarkable Acadian Flycatcher excites me much more than it will many of you. It is one of several flycatchers that are difficult to identify, but I was able to name it based on location, field marks, habitat, and call. And it was a first for me! Yipee! #birdspic.twitter.com/ISt2b95HRW

Rocky Mtn Iris blooms for a few days in spring. Surprisingly, the variety I've seen has royal blue buds, but the resulting flowers are a lighter shade. I've learned to photograph flowers as soon as I see them, knowing that insects and fading blooms are not far behind. #flowerspic.twitter.com/X1TWJ7st56

I had been trying to photograph a hummingbird on Japanese Honeysuckle without success when this Common Yellowthroat started working his way toward me. I quickly changed the settings on my camera for this bird and got this shot just as he made it to the Honeysuckle vines. #naturepic.twitter.com/QjIVYDTg3y

I followed this male Rose-breasted Grosbeak through the canopy hoping for a clear shot. Unfortunately, most of the time, he was behind enough limbs and leaves to make him a bit blurry. This was the most unobstructed shot I got, showing him mouthing a wild green seed. #birdspic.twitter.com/mgmqGF6iGX

When I first saw this male Ruby-crowned Kinglet, he was moving at the speeds this species made famous. I swung the camera back and forth wildly, but I couldn't keep up. Finally, I did capture him in dense foliage, but his body was partially blurred by a limb. #birdphotographypic.twitter.com/Wz1jxXv2KK

I watched this little House Wren fly back and forth between a food source and most likely a nest, and positioned myself between the two. After a few trips back and forth, he started stopping to check me out for a few seconds each way, allowing me to get this shot. #birds #naturepic.twitter.com/9UYjKG4FTn

Earlier I had glimpsed another bird but missed a photo. However, I soon saw this Blue-gray Gnatcatcher moving quickly through the lower limbs of a tree. Even though its speed makes it a challenge, I like to photograph this species with its crisp plumage and white eyering. #birdspic.twitter.com/LGO7Fgub48

Several birds are partially yellow, so when I see a flash of yellow zipping through a tree, I don't always recognize it right away. That was the case with this male Prairie Warbler until he paused to study something above him, long enough for me to get this shot. #birds #naturepic.twitter.com/ASTpedNckB

This Male Eastern Bluebird got carried away digging for worms in the dirt. I don't remember seeing another bird this dirty, but there was water nearby, so I'm sure he got a bath. Here he was looking at something below, and his pause was just what I needed to get this shot. #birdspic.twitter.com/eE0r8nvpmd

I can't see everything that might be interesting while driving down the road, so I often stop at random locations. That's how I found this Little Blue Heron. He was perched above the water, and I sensed he might fly away at any minute. I got this shot, and then he did. #wildlifepic.twitter.com/jDpjsaLGbu

It took me a while to find my first Palm Warbler because I kept looking for them in trees. They do fly out from trees to catch flying insects, but they do most of their foraging on the ground where they bob their tail to scare up food. This one had just found something. #birdspic.twitter.com/mOpvpinynF

Like other grackles, the Common Grackle has iridescent feathers. Depending on the light, they can look black, blue, purple, bronze, brown, or a combination. This one was in deep shade but had just enough light streaming in to show off his head and shoulders. #birdphotographypic.twitter.com/DAqwu80UxN

I can't make out all the birds calling, but you can clearly hear the Warbling Vireo as he changes limbs, singing, and hunting for food. In the end, he grabs for something before taking off. I find it challenging to capture these birds due to their rapid movements. #birds #videopic.twitter.com/zVVFwuzM3G

Overcast skies in the late afternoon usually mean poor light, so I headed back. Then I noticed movement on a large rock and slowed quickly to a stop. This Vesper Sparrow was singing but quit as usual when I pulled out the camera. I still took the shot. #birding #nature #wildlifepic.twitter.com/mVOf53PRTh