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.
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.