Birdwatchers and bird photographers, typically have a few birds on their “wanted list.” These are birds that, not because of lack of effort, they haven’t been able to spot, or get a good photograph of. For me, one of the birds on my list was the Purple Martin.

The glossy-blue male Purple Martin is amazing looking, and for several years I had seen them on the waterfront near my home in Edmonds, Washington. However, like most swallows, they don’t sit still for long, and getting a decent photograph had proven to be a challenge.

Finally, earlier this week I was in the right place at the right time, and two Purple Martins settled on a piling in front of me. I had my camera with me and the birds sat still long enough to snap these photos. Check the Purple Martin off of my “wanted list!”