Jim Pottkotter

In the distance, I saw this Tricolored Heron in dark shade. However, the sun was going down, and I could tell that it would shine on him in a few minutes. I started towards him slowly. Just as I got within camera range, the sun bathed him in warm light. #birding #nature #wildlifepic.twitter.com/s3phncp96G

I love the way the light exposed the eye and fell on this male Summer Tanager. He had just caught this Yellow Jacket and was sorting out how to eat it. This is my favorite photo ever of this bird. #birding #birdphotography #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotographypic.twitter.com/uLKZYevxVF

I was so excited to see my first Common Gallinule (Moorhen)! Unfortunately, she had a dispute with three American Coots and lost, so she was leaving the area at full speed. Counting the intense red eye, I see at least six colors on this beautiful bird. #birds #nature #wildlifepic.twitter.com/tIl646kwFo

I've loved the way dappled sunlight falls on the forest floor like the spots on a new fawn since I was a young boy wandering in the woods. This beautiful Chipping Sparrow has a bit of that sunlight on him, and I think it makes him look marvelous. #birds #nature #wildlife #photospic.twitter.com/l38V7JfGcu

The White Ibis is a wetland bird that occasionally forages inland. While their black wingtips, pink bill, and pink legs standout, it's their distinctive blue eye that always captivates me. #birds #nature #wildlife #beautiful #wetlands #birdphotography #NaturePhotography #photopic.twitter.com/gEkBKzRDhn

Sometimes it's not the pretty bird that deserves the spotlight, but the smart one. Crows have been observed making and using tools, and many people have interesting stories of encounters with intelligent crows. #birds #nature #wildlife #photography #Intelligent #birdphotograpnypic.twitter.com/CAPaVtrC9T

The hard to get shots are birds in the open. This shot of the female Magnolia Warbler is more common, where she is moving quickly but tentatively through the bush looking for insects. I think it's important to document these behaviors in addition to clear profile shots. #birdspic.twitter.com/U2FnxStqk7

I was doing some #birding when I heard a plop on the car. This #wasp was trying to fly away with a large #caterpillar but just couldn't manage it. He tried several times before giving up. Hope someone can help id these #creepy #crawlies. #photography #insects #nature #wildlifepic.twitter.com/Pd6qbA2mQj

Sometimes the Red-bellied Woodpecker works his way up the tree, and sometimes he works his way down. I was sitting nearby looking for birds when he landed high. I just watched and waited as he circled his way down near eye level. #birds #birding #nature #wildlife #photographypic.twitter.com/Xp7Yjw83TK

I saw this male Orchard Oriole gleaning insects in the tops of trees, too far away for a shot. I went back the next day and accidentally spooked him from some bushes. On the 3rd day, I approached much more slowly and got this photo. #birds #nature #wildlife #photography #birdingpic.twitter.com/JxGdR2lUch

I saw this Red-spotted Purple #Butterfly and rushed over to take its photo. As I got closer, I could see it was beaten up, including a broken antenna. It didn't fly away. I was sad that something had tried to get it even though that is nature's way. #insects #wildlife #naturepic.twitter.com/rBDj3oJ1Fs

I was on a hill above a lake when I saw this Florida Red-Shouldered #Hawk in a distant tree. I watched and waited. Suddenly he swooped down to the edge of the water and quickly climbed back out with a #Florida Redbelly #Snake. #raptor #birds #nature #wildlife #reptiles #photopic.twitter.com/5fv9j2WKof

We had started on an evening hike when we heard the booming of the Common Nighthawk. It got louder as we got closer. Out of 100+ attempts, I barely managed this uncommon dorsal view as he banked sharply and incredibly fast in the fading sunlight. #birds #nature #wildlife #birdingpic.twitter.com/XePHJ0N8T3

I watched as this beautiful Northern Parula softened up the green caterpillar. With this parting look the Parula let me know he wasn't going to share, and then he was on his way. Does anyone have a name for this #caterpillar? #insect #birds #birding #nature #photography #wildlifepic.twitter.com/Y8rHNQpmRE

This Scarlet Tanager was high in the canopy, obscured by leaves and branches, impossible to capture. Then he descended to a lower limb in pursuit of a bug. He got the bug, and I got the shot, so we were both happy. #nature #wildlife #bird #birds #photography #NaturePhotographypic.twitter.com/iW0vChUbF7

I was sitting very still at the edge of some woods when this American Redstart came flitting quickly through the branches looking for insects. When I raised the camera to take his photo, he seemed surprised and took off after one shot. #nature #wildlife #birds #photographypic.twitter.com/oDK5yxKPFQ

I love the way the sun lit this Eastern Chipmunk when he looked around from behind the fallen log. #cuteanimals #chipmunk #nature #naturephotography #wildlife #wildlifephotography #outdoors #photographypic.twitter.com/gPVCRZpw7Q

This White-eyed Vireo was calling in the shadows where little sunlight penetrated the canopy. I waited until the sun went down a little more and shined through a side opening to get this shot. #nature #wildlife #birds #photography #birdphoto #naturelovers #wildlifephotographypic.twitter.com/sDT0IVqljx

This is my perennial 4th of July photo. I'll never forget spending hours in the hot sun that day trying to get photos of the Purple Martin in flight. I love this shot as it looks like she is saluting the flag. #birds #nature #wildlife #4thofJuly #4thofJuly2018 #4thJuly2018 #flagpic.twitter.com/TL2pEDqDNP

When I visit the Smoky Mountains one wildflower I look for is the Wild Geranium. Not cultivated, it's the real deal, which you only find on a random trail. The detail is stunning. It's a signpost that points to my happy place. #wildflower #nature #Nature #gsmnp #flowerphotographypic.twitter.com/8TuPCN1bNk