This posing Purple Martin is part of a Martin colony on the waterfront near my home in Edmonds, Washington. These large (I believe they are the largest in North America) swallows are a real challenge to photograph as they swoop over the water and the beach in search of food and nesting materials.

A few days ago, this cooperative Martin, either a female or a juvenile male, sat still long enough for me to get a few photos. You can see some more photos of Purple Martins, including a striking looking male on my earlier post from May 2017.