Bird Photography
Captured at Asylum Lake Preserve in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this close-up photo features an adorable Canada Goose gosling in its early, downy stage — wide-eyed, golden, and full of springtime wonder. Nestled near the water’s edge, the gosling’s soft feathers and curious expression are lit by gentle natural light, highlighting a fleeting and heartwarming moment in nature.
These tiny, fuzzy birds grow quickly, making images like this a rare glimpse into a short but beautiful stage of life on Michigan’s lakeshores.
Perched on a rocky edge along the Sturgeon River near Iron Mountain, Michigan, this mature Bald Eagle surveys the cold waters flowing toward Lake Superior. With its piercing gaze and powerful posture, the eagle stands as a striking presence in the quiet wilderness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
This photo captures the stillness before the hunt — a natural moment of focus, instinct, and raw beauty from one of North America’s most iconic birds of prey. Surrounded by forest, water, and open sky, the eagle’s presence commands attention and respect.
Photographed at Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery in Mattawan, Michigan, this image captures a Red-winged Blackbird mid-movement as it carefully balances on a cluster of cattails near the water’s edge. Its vibrant red and yellow shoulder patches flash against a backdrop of soft greens and blue sky — a perfect glimpse into the life of one of Michigan’s most iconic wetland birds during the summer months.
Caught in a moment of natural grace, this photo highlights the quick, agile energy of the bird as it maneuvers through tall reeds. It’s a celebration of summer in the marsh, where color, movement, and stillness meet.
Captured at Asylum Lake Preserve in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this close-up photo features a Black-capped Chickadee perched in the brush with a small yellow worm held in its beak. With its alert gaze and soft feather detail, the chickadee is frozen in a quiet moment of motion — a glimpse into the everyday life of one of Michigan’s most beloved songbirds.
Framed by soft tones and natural textures, this image highlights the subtle drama and charm of bird activity within one of Kalamazoo’s most cherished nature preserves. It’s a still moment, full of personality, captured just steps off the trail.
Captured at Asylum Lake Preserve in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this photo features a Double-crested Cormorant perched on a weathered piece of wood rising above the water’s surface. The bird’s dark silhouette and upright posture create a striking presence against the calm reflections of the lake.
Known for their quiet patience and skilled diving, cormorants are often overlooked — but here, the bird becomes a focal point of balance and stillness. With wings tucked and eyes alert, it surveys its surroundings from a solitary perch, embodying the calm rhythm of Michigan’s inland waters.
Captured at just the right moment, this Ruby-throated Hummingbird hovers in mid-air near a backyard feeder, wings spread and perfectly crisp. Photographed in Michigan, the bird’s vibrant colors and delicate form contrast beautifully with the rustic log cabin background, offering a unique blend of motion and stillness.
This image freezes a nearly impossible moment — the split second a hummingbird pauses in flight, eye focused, wings blurred just enough to feel alive. It’s a portrait of energy, elegance, and the fleeting nature of backyard wildlife encounters.
Captured at Kleinstuck Nature Preserve in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this intimate forest moment features a male Pileated Woodpecker feeding its hidden fledgling within a nest cavity carved into the trunk of a tree. The adult’s vivid red crest and bold black-and-white plumage contrast beautifully with the textured bark, while the young bird’s small beak peeks just into view from the shadows.
It’s a rare look at one of Michigan’s most iconic birds in a quiet act of care — a fleeting moment of life in the treetops, frozen in time.
Photographed at Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery in Mattawan, Michigan, this close-up image features a young male Northern Cardinal perched on a delicate branch, tilting his head with a curious, almost playful expression. His feathers are just beginning to show the signature bright red of adulthood, softly lit by the natural morning light.
This simple yet expressive moment captures the personality of one of Michigan’s most beloved backyard birds in a quiet, intimate setting. The subtle detail and gentle pose make it a charming addition to any nature-inspired space.
Photographed in the warm glow of early morning light at Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery in Mattawan, Michigan, this image captures a Song Sparrow on the ground, giving a curious sideways glance. Its feathers are softly illuminated by the sun, and its alert expression adds a touch of charm to this peaceful moment.
Set against the subtle textures of gravel and grass, the sparrow’s posture and personality come through in a way that feels both quiet and full of life. It’s the kind of small, spontaneous encounter that makes Michigan’s natural areas so special.
Captured at Kleinstuck Nature Preserve in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this rare action photo freezes the moment a Blue Jay leaps mid-air, wings fully spread, in pursuit of a bumblebee drifting just ahead. The bird’s vibrant blue feathers and extended posture create a sense of wild, playful energy — a split-second encounter many see, but few capture.
Set against the backdrop of a wooded Michigan preserve, the composition is both bold and natural — full of motion, color, and the instinctive drama of wildlife interaction. This image showcases the Blue Jay not just as a songbird, but as a skilled, reactive creature alive in its element.
Captured at the perfect moment at Kleinstuck Nature Preserve in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this photo shows a male Pileated Woodpecker mid-flight, wings fully extended in a powerful vertical span. With its vibrant red crest, bold black-and-white plumage, and raw energy, the bird appears almost prehistoric — a striking symbol of Michigan’s forested wild spaces.
Photographed as it launched from the canopy overhead, the image freezes a rare instant of motion from one of North America’s largest and most iconic woodpeckers. The dramatic wing spread and eye-level perspective create a sense of scale and awe that honors both the bird and the moment.