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For me, photographing birds depends on two things: good fortune and cooperative birds. (OK, a good telephoto lens also helps.)

When I go birding, I move slowly, whether on foot or in my van. I keep a low profile, stay in the shadows and avoid fast or jerky movements. If my van is nearby, I try to use it as a blind.

My stealth has allowed me to take some pretty good pictures this year, if I do say so myself. The vireo photo is my favorite. I was following this beautiful little bird along a wooded edge until he framed himself perfectly. I quickly snapped a bunch of exposures. (Oh, I guess that's another tip: Take lots of photos, keep the best, toss the rest.)

Here are some of my best bird photos and some interesting tidbits about the birds themselves.

Blackpoll warblers migrate into far northeastern Minnesota and beyond for nesting. I caught this male as it was hunting for bugs on a neatly mowed lawn. Golden eagles are at home on the Great Plains, but they migrate through - and sometimes overwinter in - Minnesota. I found this juvenile golden eagle in Aitkin County in November. You can tell it's a juvenile by its white wing patches and the white on the tail.

ANOTHER FAVORITE

Spruce grouse are found in northeastern Minnesota. This hen was taking a dust bath when Jim Williams approached with his camera. Her chicks immediately sought protection beneath her. Spruce grouse are sometimes known as fool's hens because of their trusting nature. They don't flush easily and can almost be captured by hand. Although this chick was old enough to fly, it allowed me to get very close. This male Baltimore oriole was searching for insects inside crab-apple blossoms when I saw it this spring. Despite their southern-sounding name, Tennessee warblers commonly nest in the north, in northeastern Minnesota and beyond. I spotted this warbler while it was refueling in an Orono apple orchard during migration this past spring. Prothonotary warblers seek nesting cavities in trees along streams and rivers and in river backwaters. You can find them along the Minnesota, Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, usually south of Taylors Falls. Tree swallows are regular nesters throughout the state and often use nesting boxes. This male was taking a break from hawking insects over a pond at Wirth Park in Minneapolis. As part of the courtship ritual of many birds, including these cedar waxwings, the male feeds the female. This supposedly indicates to the female that the male is a good provider.

Jim Williams, a lifelong birder, is on the U.S. National Wildlife Refuge Birding Initiative Committee. He also is a member of the American Birding Association, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Delta Waterfowl. Join his conversation about birds at www.startribune.com/wingnut. He can be reached by email at two-jays@att.net.

Share your own back-yard birding photos at www. startribune.com/yourphotos.