Male Acorn Woodpecker

I watched the local Acorn Woodpeckers excavate nesting holes and defend their territory. Periodically, one or more would sweep through the area calling loudly as they flew from tree to tree. I positioned myself to be ready for them, and that's how I got this shot.

A Mated Pair of Mourning Doves

Why are there so many Mourning Doves? They can live for at least 30 years in the wild, longer than many birds. They can also survive on brackish (salty) water and store food in their crop for later. This pair moved quickly as they courted and looked for seeds.

Female Broad-tailed Hummingbird

This Broad-tailed Hummingbird flew between Milkweed plants so fast I couldn't keep up. I had already worked up a sweat when I decided to position myself in front of one set of plants. I stood still, camera-ready, for fifteen minutes before I finally got this shot.

Male Gila Woodpeckers

Both of these male Gila Woodpeckers were in focus, but one took off. I think the male in the back explained to the one in front why he needed to leave. I love how this shot reveals their red crowns and the little touch of yellow low on the belly.

Rufous-crowned Sparrow

I spotted this Rufous-crowned Sparrow at least forty feet away hopping between rocks before dropping down to the ground to look for seeds. These birds only fly short distances and spend most of their time on the ground. However, they frequently hop up on rocks, shrubs, and lower limbs to look around, so it's difficult to get close.

Yellow-rumped Warbler - Audubon's

When I see Yellow-rumped Warblers, I'm usually not able to get this much detail. They seldom come close, and following them through the trees with my camera lens is challenging. This is Audubon's variety, informally called Audubon's Warbler by many people.

Western Sandpiper

I loved how the setting sun bathed this Western Sandpiper in warm light, and I was eager to get a photo. However, It's challenging for me to keep up with these fast little peeps, so I was grateful when it paused with a snack long enough for me to get this shot.

Roseate Spoonbill in Flight

The sky was overcast, and birds in flight were not showing up well, so I was looking for perched birds. But I couldn't resist when this Roseate Spoonbill flew by. Those eyes and incredibly pink wings have a way of grabbing my full attention, so I took this shot.

Lucy's Warbler

Lucy's Warbler winters in Mexico, but breeds primarily in southwestern states. I've found them near rare water sources in the desert, but also far from water. This one surprised me by pausing for several seconds before continuing its frenetic search for insects.

Female Bushtit

This Bushtit was quickly moving through the low branches of a tree. As I tried to keep up, I got butt shots, back shots, and shots with its head buried in the leaves looking for insects. Eventually, I got this shot in just enough light to expose the eye.

yellow-crowned Night-Heron

This Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was in shallow water looking for crustaceans but was hidden in the foliage. I couldn't get a photo, so I waited patiently for it to change position. Instead, it stood statue-like. Suddenly it lept up on a branch, and I finally got this shot.

Townsend's Solitaire

My guess is the Townsend's Solitaire is more curious than friendly. One landed near a couple of locations where I was birding on different days. It would land, stay in that location for several seconds, and then just fly away, but not before I got a shot.

Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay

I like to photograph birds on an open perch with a clean background, and I was frustrated because everywhere I turned, there was a tangle of brush and small trees. Of course, none of that mattered when this Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay landed on a nearby stump.

Fox Sparrow

It was a cool day before the winter gave way to spring. I knew it was a Fox Sparrow as soon as I saw it, even though I hadn't seen one in seven years. It just shows you can go a while without seeing even common birds. I frantically took several photos before it took off.

Male Pileated Woodpecker Calling

When you're in the Pileated Woodpeckers range, look for these birds near water. Every one I've seen was near a river, lake, swamp, or creek. Also, listen for their shrill call. That's how I found this one, and he continued calling even after he spotted me.

Eastern Phoebe

I was out birding in the middle of the afternoon under a fairly dark canopy because I knew the foliage would diffuse the direct overhead light. I soon saw this Eastern Phoebe fly out to catch an insect, and I got this shot just as he returned.

Female Gambel's Quail

Once a Gambel's Quail sees you, it turns around and scurries off until it finds cover. For that reason, I don't think this one had figured out what I was when I got this shot. I was shooting through foliage some distance away, so I was camouflaged a bit.

Ash-throated Flycatcher

I rarely see an Ash-throated Flycatcher, and even when I do, I'm seldom able to get a good shot. This one landed right above where I had set to watch for birds. Its head tilt is characteristic, but I like to think it just wanted to get a really good look at me.

Chipping Sparrow

I love sparrows and photograph them every chance I get. The Chipping Sparrow is one of the more distinctive, especially in its summer plumage. While these birds look big in photos, I'm amazed at how tiny they are, especially when I try to photograph one hopping around.

Male Anhinga with Prey

Watching this Anhinga hunt for food was exciting but frustrating as he darted underwater in seemingly random directions. He was hard to follow, but after a while, he finally surfaced with this Mayan Chiclid. I could hardly believe I had captured the moment.

Sandhill Crane

I almost couldn't get this Sandhill Crane photo because the bird was in the shade, and the bright background just about overpowered the whole scene. Luckily, there was just enough side light to show off the bird, and I could lighten it up a bit in post-processing.

Male Ruby-crowned Kinglet

I was sitting quietly watching for birds when this Ruby-crowned Kinglet showed up. I got a couple of quick shots, but soon he was way too fast to follow as he started gleaning insects. His red tuft started going down and was no longer visible by the time he left.

black-crested Titmouse

The Black-crested Titmouse is a bird of the western states. We have five titmice in the US, and they all have some sort of tuft in common. They also have a curious personality and bold response to anything new in their environment. You can't slip up on a titmouse.

Cooper's Hawk

Many people who feed birds eventually find that a Cooper's Hawk has captured a bird in their yard. It can be upsetting when the bird it captures is a favorite. And yet, it is part of nature, the circle of life. Have you lost a favorite bird in this way?

Palm Warbler

I tend to get distant Palm Warbler photos when it is in a tree and closer shots on the ground where it flicks its tail and combs every square inch for insects. This one moved in quick random directions, often facing away. It was hard to follow and get this shot.

White Pelicans

In one season or another, you might see White Pelicans in many US states. I have never seen one of these social birds alone. A flock has many names, such as a brief, pod, pouch, scoop, and squadron. Their wingspan of nine feet makes them even more impressive in flight.

White Pelican in Flight

Male Spotted Towhee

We are not supposed to attribute human characteristics to animals, but I've found it is a common experience in my readings. So, I'll admit to giving a little chuckle when I saw this shot of a male Spotted Towhee. How would you caption it?

White-throated Sparrow

I think the White-throated Sparrow is beautiful any time of the year, but their field marks seem to really pop in the spring. They eat seeds, so they are often on the ground, but this one checked out a brush pile where shoots of dead grass still had a few seeds.

Golden-crowned Kinglet

It was a cool day, but the sun kept me warm, and the birds kept me going. I had been taking photos of common birds when this uncommon to me, Golden-crowned Kinglet landed nearby. I forgot about the other birds and grabbed a couple of quick shots before he took off.

Warbling Vireo

I looked and listened for the Warbling Vireo for a couple of years before I found one. I had heard recordings of their calls and wanted to hear one in the wild. I was thrilled to catch this one singing and discovered they sometimes sing almost continuously.

Green Heron

This Green Heron had been watching the water below. With their slow movements, herons hunting for food are good subjects for even novice bird photographers. The biggest challenge is in getting close enough in the wild to get a good shot.

Male Hooded Warbler

I remember saying "Wow!" as soon as I saw this male Hooded Warbler. I get excited over many birds, usually the one in front of my camera, but this bird took me to a whole new level. There's something about his bold markings and curious looks that holds my attention.

Black Vulture

I went out when the sun was highest and brightest, ordinarily not the best time. However, that's when the light is best for photographing birds under a very deep canopy. There I found this Black Vulture in perfect light above a small pond as it looked for something to eat.

Female Northern Parula

This Northern Parula blended in nicely with the golden background light of the late afternoon. It scrutinized every leaf for yet one more insect. I think this one was plumping up a bit for the long migration south last fall, perhaps as far away as Central America.

Male phainopepla

Although not related, some people describe the male Phainopepla as the black desert cardinal with his erect tuft. But his brilliant red eye and iridescent plumage stand out the most to me. I caught this one just before he took off.

Mountain Bluebird

I had decided to go birding in the late morning even though the light is usually too harsh. It was cool, but the sky was clear, and the sun was bright. Fortunately, I briefly saw this Mountain Bluebird. He was in just enough shade to soften the shadows.

Say's Phoebe

Yes, Say's Phoebe is a brown bird, but oh how I love the subtle earth tones in its plumage. It is one of my favorite birds from trips to the desert. I caught this one on the low branches of a tree after I was in the area for a couple of hours—what a peaceful moment.

White Ibis

I was moving along a canal as well as I could. The vegetation was so dense in places that sometimes I couldn't get close. I accidentally startled this White Ibis into a tree. Fortunately, the light was just right to expose the bird and its beautiful eye.

Male American Redstart

I got a little giddy when I saw this American Redstart. I don't see nearly enough of these Halloween-colored birds. I watched him flash his colorful wings and tail to scare up insects and then lunge to grab them. I had to snap quickly, knowing he would move on in seconds.