Flightless photographer: Length: 5 feet, 7.5 inches. Weight: 155 pounds. Wingspan: 67 inches (without feathers).

Lesser black-backed gull followed by ring-billed gull

Photographing a bird in flight is more challenging than photographing a bird that remains still. Even more challenging is when it is flying toward or away from the camera.

However, modern digital cameras have continuous autofocus and can shoot many frames per second. These features enabled the three photos shown here.

Red-tailed hawk

The red-tailed hawk is recognized by the rusty red tail and the terminal thin black band; the yellow-headed blackbird by the white wing patches and the sliver of yellow of the head. The gulls are differentiated by the dark and light grays of the wings and mantle. The immature age of the trailing ring-billed gull is revealed by the residual black on the tail feathers. And yes, more birders recognize me from the back than my front. Happy birding.

Yellow-headed blackbird

Bird Walks: May 2 and June 6. Two start times: 7:30am and 8am. Walks are free, but you must RSVP at blufflake.org/birdwatching. All are welcome. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from your guide. 11255 MLK Jr. Blvd.