Strike a Pose

Birds model their most dramatic looks for the camera

Birds raise their chicks around an alligator farm in St. Augustine, Florida, because the alligators keep some of the predators away. That's where I saw this snowy egret in its breeding plumage. It landed right in front of me, in wonderful light, and displayed several times before flying away. Sally Oberbeck BEAVERCREEK, OH

The birds adore our magnolia tree as much as we do. This downy woodpecker struck a pose on the branch while the blooms were just opening. Jennifer Sigmon OGDENSBURG, NY

Many Gambel's quail families come through our bird-feeding area in the desert. The papa quail usually finds higher ground to sit and keep watch over his family. This particular male was perched on a staghorn cholla cactus, which is an extremely uninviting plant for humans to get near. It shows how adapted these birds are to their environment. Deborah Lockett TUCSON, AZ