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Luther Rotto

@lutherrotto.bsky.social

433 followers 325 following 1.4K posts

Norse by heritage, Dakota born, Minnesotan for many years. A teacher still learning. A librarian who can never read, listen, and watch enough. Logophile. Erstwhile Vikes fan. No DMs, plz.

Posts Replies Media

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

[left] "Wait — I'm not ready!" [right] "OK, now shoot!" Our resident Green Heron needs a moment to get ready. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #Herons&Egrets (Sorry. Late to the game today.)

Two pics of a Green Heron lakeside; on the left a quite disheveled bird not ready for their closeup, and standing tall on the right the same bird in perfect summer form.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

A Swallow Ace!

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

"OK. Thank you for your attention [except Bob]. You're probably wondering why I called this meeting." (A small part of a recent backyard Grackle plague gathers at my fountain/bird bath.) #BirdsOfAFeather #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdWatching

Five Common Grackles seem to be conversing at a backyard birdbath fountain, enjoying Summer's bright sunshine and each other's company with softly focused greenery as a backdrop.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Good Mourning! [Sorry. I'll show myself out.] #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdsUpClose

A Mourning Dove glances up from feeding on the grassy ground in the dim morning sun.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

A House Wren parent takes a break from frenetic feeding forays but casts a glance back at the ever-hungry chicks in the bird house. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #NoBranchWood

A House Wren perches atop a white picket fence on a bright Summer's day. It seems to be casting an anxious glance back in the direction of its bird house before dashing off to catch more food for its demanding chicks.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

'DucksLookingForWater' is more like it. This is the same saucy Mallard hen from prior posts, this time showing off her brood whilst on the way to the Mississippi just a few blocks down. #DucksOutOfWater #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A Mallard hen escorts her brood of four through a lawn's bright green grass in the early Summer sunshine.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Nuthin' says summertime more than a splashy trip to the birth bath for this mama Baltimore Oriole, escaping fledged but still demanding youngins in the area. (She notes the bath needs a bit of a cleanup, however.) #SummerLovin #BirdOfTheDay #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds

A mama Baltimore Oriole takes a birdbath break on a sunny summer's day. The bath's solar fountain is splashing droplets and mature garden foliage provides a backdrop.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

So, waiting on the start of the FIFA championship — what, we on 'startage time?

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

"Hmmm...looks like rain later today. Better grab up these seeds while I can." (Our female Rose-breasted Grosbeak takes a moment to check the cloudy skies for rain on an early Spring day.) #UpAndDown #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A female Grosbeak pauses eating at a weathered feeder to look upwards as though checking the weather on a cloudy Spring day. The background of soft focussed greenery forms a pleasant backdrop.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

These two are catching a quiet moment together before getting their busy day underway. (Still domesticity in hummers is a rare enough thing to deserve a place in today's #QuietReflection postings.) #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A Ruby-Throated hummingbird pair take a moment to rest on the curves of a black metal shepherd's crook of a Spring morning, seemingly contemplating their busy day ahead. The soft-focus greenery of the woodland provides a backdrop to the scene.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

What Rob wants, Rob gets: Straight outta Lumix via Leica glass (RAW to JPEG), here is the Green Heron I've been itching to capture forever, intently looking for a meal by the lake in June. #BestOfJune26 #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A Green Heron on a beach stroll leaning forward alertly looking for a meal in the gently rippling water. The sun illuminates the brown sand, the bird's lovely plumage, and a few snail shells washed up on the beach.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

A big favorite up here in Minne-snowta, a Loon shows a little leg to the photog on a lazy early summer day, just sorta #ShowingOff I guess. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A Common Loon floats placidly on the sunlit lake surface, it's red eye plainly visible and one of its legs raised jauntily as if waving hello.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Little? [check] Brown? [check] Birds? [well, duh!] Food? [umm...] It's another two-fer day for me, today. Keep 'em coming, Alan n' Rob! #LittleBrownBirds #Food #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

In close-up, a House Finch parent with a freshly caught spider leans down to feed a lucky chick peeking out from a ceramic clay red apple nesting spot hanging from a garden shed eve. The scene is bathed in the sunlight of a summer morn.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

A two-fer for today's assignment ( #Birds&Bokeh + #Birds&Buds): a bird we don't like much around here (an invasive threat to native cavity dwellers in Minnesota). Too bad coz they're quite striking. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A Common Starling perches in a budding cherry tree with a backdrop of softly-focussed early spring greening trees.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

A flower so good I gotta #Touchdown to eat! (She did actually land — see reply below.) #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A female Ruby Throated hummingbird is caught just before landing on a bright pink flower with soft focus summer greenery as a backdrop.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Her: Do you thing Spring is finally coming so we can make babies? ------------------- Him: What? #Black #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A Pileated Woodpecker pair cling to a two-sided suet feeder, the male absorbed in feeding whilst the female gazes off to the right seemingly thinking about other things. A backyard winter scene with bare trees and snow is softly out of focus behind them.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

A repeat of an earlier subject (different angle) but #SilentPresence makes this the correct posting. A solitary Trumpeter cob (prior post) lost its mate last Fall and now patiently awaits its future. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A brilliant white but solitary Trumpeter swan rests amongst the lake's Spring shore flowers for its mate lost the previous Fall. Its broken reflection on the rippling water reinforces its shattered life.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

"One – is the loneliest number..." A solitary Trumpeter cob (shown in a prior post) lost its mate last Fall and now awaits alone this season's happenings at the lake. (see reply below) #LivingLandscape #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography

A brilliant white but solitary Trumpeter swan rests amongst the lake's Spring shore flowers for its mate lost the previous Fall. Its broken reflection on the rippling water reinforces its shattered life.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

"So show crows trooping with doves" [Sorry Bill!] Hoping the gorgeousness of the Trumpeters can rub off, Canadian honkers (smaller canadensis interior variant) paddle with beauty. #Geese #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

On an early Fall afternoon paddling placidly across sky-reflecting rippled blue waters of a Minnesota lake, several of the smaller variety Canadian geese parade with brilliant white Trumpeter swans.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Sanderlings, freshly arrived from the Arctic, madly chase the gentle waves, foraging for bits of food on the white sands of a sunlit Florida breach. #WorldOceansDay #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A small group of tiny Sanderlings fresh from their Arctic breeding grounds chase the gentle waves, foraging for small bits of food. The smoothness of a receding wave on the white sand shows their blurry reflections in the bright Florida sunshine.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Hmmm. "Your assignment, should you choose to accept, is any bird standing/sitting on a branch." Welp — go big or go home I guess. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #BranchingOut

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

This fine young Red-Tailed hawk has been featured in some of my past posts and he's 'borrowing' my backyard shed's ramp to get a closer look at any prey available nearby. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #BorrowedPlaces

A young Redtail hawk in closeup stands on the weathered ramp of a shed looking intently for a luncheon tidbit in the green grass on a bright August day.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

An early Spring Broad-winged Hawk checks me out, or maybe what my backyard has to offer for brunch — a gaze most small creatures would just as soon avoid. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #LookingAtYou

A Broad-winged Hawk perching amongst the branches of a budding Black Walnut tree seems to be intently surveying either the photographer or the nearby available prey for lunch on a sunny early Spring morn.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

"Turn that fecking camera OFF!" — An American Goldfinch caught mid-molt, and with a mouthful besides. #BadFeatherDay #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

An American Goldfinch perched on a weatherbeaten feeder crunching a sunflower seed with its plumage in transition between Winter drab and brilliant Spring yellow presenting a somewhat shabby overall appearance.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

"Where are all the bugs? Why aren't my mates flitting all around? Why am I here, anyway?" An American Barn Swallow ponders life by the lake on a mid-summer's eve. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #NegativeSpace #Solitude

A solitary Barn Swallow perches on a boatlift's mechanism seeming contemplating its lot in life with the lake's late afternoon blue sky as a backdrop.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

The blend of textures of barren branches of which eagles are so fond, the soft layering of its brown feathers combined with its fierce eagle demeanor meet today's #Texture spec methinks. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

An American Bald Eagle is shown perching amongst barren snags against a pale blue September Minnesota afternoon sky, its gaze to the right seeming both fierce and content, its soft brown and tan feathers perfectly layered across its robust body.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Here's the erstwhile job applicant of a few days back now foraging for a spot of lunch, post interview. (see reply below for his story) #Anatidae #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A close up of a Mallard drake sorting through Spring garden detritus for a meal with some stones of the garden border and sprouting peony in the background of an overcast day.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Dear Sir: Please accept my application for the Assistant Pond Manager position in your back woods. Attached you will find my vita and a picture. Thank you. Respectfully, ... #HeadShots #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

This very diligent Purple Finch (or is it a Cassin's) doing its best to suss out a whole seed amongst the detritus below the feeder on an otherwise glum early Spring day. #Grassland #Red #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A Purple Finch checks the ground thoroughly for any uncracked Sunflower seeds below a feeder to scrounge a meal. A bit of early Spring grass is sprouting amongst the cracked sunflower detritus.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

A contemporary offering to his mate's & the Scarlet Tanager post of the last few days, this guy begs for your attention now that he gets a BotD #scrollback opportunity (Thanks, guys!). #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A male Rose-Breasted Grosbeak perches on a blooming cherry tree waiting for a chance at a meal at the feeder on a cool Spring day.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

In case you were wondering why we're named Grosbeak... [crack, chomp, chomp — yum] #Feeders #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A female Rose Breasted Grosbeak perches at a feeder chomping on a safflower seed and displaying the large beak for which it's named. An out-of-focus background of Spring greenery contasts with the weathered cedar of the feeder.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 17/05/2026

"Just washed my feathers and can't do a thing with 'em." #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #Ruffled

A Blue Heron with freshly washed feathers somewhat in disarray perches on a fallen bough near the calm shore of a lake with dimly lit lakeside foliage in the background.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 15/05/2026

This jaunty fellow is likely checking out the bird feeder's suet cakes off to the right of the blooming cherry tree before swooping in to grab its share. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #FeathersInFoliage

A brilliant red Scarlet Tanager perches on a small branch in a flowering cherry tree with Springtime foliage as a background. It's gazing intently to the right, likely at a bird feeder over that way.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

The very definition of a "Snowbird" (US & Canadian slang for Winter humans going to warmer climes), an Arctic breeding Sanderling checking out its shadow, Destin, FL. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #WadersOuttaWater

A tiny arctic breeding Sanderling rests on one leg, seemingly checking its shadow, on the white sands of Emerald Beach, FL with the nearly calm, blue Gulf of Mexico waters as a background.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Showing away on a beautiful day. #InMotion #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

On a bright August afternoon at the lake, a Common Loon spreads its wings against a background of rippling water and floating lily pads. Its red eye glows from its deep black head as a rippled reflection spreads to the watery foreground.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

"How you like them dapples, buster?" #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #Dappled

A Mallard hen, facing away on the early Spring green grass, turns her head back to the photographer in closeup.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Let's eat! #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #Pairs

With some fresh snow on it on a gray Winter's day, a two-sided suet feeder hosts a pair of Pileated woodpeckers busily working on feeding themselves.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

A follow-on to my BotD post on parenting "Teenager", here is the lucky teen getting his #Mouthful after talking Mom into feeding him his supper. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A parent Common Loon watches carefully as her juvenile offspring downs a fairly large lake fish during a Fall afternoon on a gently rippling Minnesota lake.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Teenager: "Hey, Mom, what's for supper?" #Parenthood #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A parent and juvenile Common Loon float on a Minnesota lake on a Fall late afternoon. The parent has just caught a Perch and the juvenile is circling around, obviously interested in the catch.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Hard to find any bird much 'brown-er' than this Mallard hen resting in my backyard on a rainy April afternoon (perfect weather — if you're a duck!) #BeautyInBrown #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A mallard hen resting comfortably in the early spring green lawn grass of a rainy April afternoon.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

BURRRRRRP! Sheesh — that last bit of carrion was a bit much, I guess. #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #WellTimed

A young Redtail hawk on the green yard grass is apparently retching over its last meal.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

You can smile for passport photos, you know... #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #PassportPhoto

An extreme closeup of a very stern looking Bald Eagle framed against a blue sky as if posing for a passport photo

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

The Madness of King Gorge:

000

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

After a mousey snack I'd tossed his way, this fine young Red Tailed hawk hopped up on my grape trellis even closer to me to say "Thanks!" [OK, in my dreams, maybe.] #manmadeperch #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A juvenile Red Tailed hawk perches on a trellis amongst the green grape leaves and stares intently off to the right.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Loved this doc on our feathered woodsmen.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Here ya go, Sweetie— Thanks, Mom! [Given their sedate, austere beauty, it's easy to overlook the fact that Loons are active piscine predators.] #Snacks #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

An adult Common Loon feeds its gray fuzzy-feathered chick a freshly caught minnow amidst the ripples of a sunny day on a Minnesota lake.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

This little guy won with most 'Likes' by you fine folks. (I like it,too!) #BestoftheMonth [July 2010, Inner Farne sanctuary, Northumberland, England] #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

An Atlantic Puffin posing with wings spread to the North Sea breeze with grey rocks splashed with white droppings against slate-grey waves.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

The whole fam damnly out and about: attentive parents, perky little followers, a sunny late Spring day at 'the lake' — life is blessed. #AdultsWithChicks #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

Common Loon parents escorting their two chicks proudly across the green-tinted waters of a sunny late Spring day.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Caught this guy looking for a better spot along the shore to grab lunch. (Hope there's enough blue to qualify my contrib to the incredible collection of Blue Heron pics found here.) #Blue #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching

A Great Blue Heron forages for his lunch along a wooded shoreline of a Minnesota lake.

Luther Rotto @lutherrotto.bsky.social · 27/03/2026

This young Red-Tailed hawk obligingly devoured a mouse I'd found trapped in my garage and tossed at him while he posed for pics on my shed roof. I love Nature... #Eating #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #ECK #Birding #NaturePhotography #BirdPhotography #Birds #BirdPhotography #BirdWatching #PhotographyIsArt

A young Red-Tailed hawk devours a mouse in the bright green lawn grass.