The silhouette of a Great Blue Heron searching for its evening snack at sunset on White Lake near Montague, Michigan. Photo by Stacy Niedzwiecki.

“I happened across this fellow (the traditional bird of Spring) during my walk with my dog in Kentwood, Michigan.” – photographer Christopher Kierkus.

Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus), flying in, excavating in the hole and throwing out the chips as he built his home at Aman Park, Kent County, Michigan. Photography by John Dykstra.

“Proud as a peacock, a rooster parades about its pen an hour after crowing in another summer day on a small family farm north of Custer.” – photographer Todd Reed.

A Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) silhouetted against glow of sunset, by photographer John Dykstra.

Photographer Tom Haxby has been working on his technique to photograph small, fast-moving birds. Here is an image of a white-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) near Kingsley, Michigan.

Michigan’s official bird appears out of place after one of the heaviest snowfalls of the winter. Photo by Todd Reed.

Gull tracks in the sand near Whitefish Point in Chippewa County, Michigan. Photo by John Dykstra.

“Glancing out of a window I saw something out of the ordinary in a snowbank below my deck. Further inspection revealed that it was a Northern Saw Whet Owl feasting on what was probably a …

A Red Breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) floats along the Grand River channel at Grand Haven, Michigan. Photo by Stacy Niedzwiecki.

“An immature bald eagle soars directly overhead as I hike a trail through the dunes near the Sable River at Ludington State Park. The bird circles over me, seemingly checking me out, or is he just searching for breakfast? Either way, I am grateful for the close-up view.” – photographer Todd Reed.

“At an undisclosed location in West Michigan at 7:44 AM, the “magic” light reveals the outline of an elusive snowy owl resting on the bank.” – photographer Brad Reed.

A Dark-eyed Junco captured in the photographer’s own backyard in Ottawa County, Michigan. Image by John Dykstra.

Moments photographer Stacy Niedzwiecki has placed third in the online PhotographyCorner.com 2011 Photograph of the Year Contest competition, which had 225 photos entered.

An American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) perched during a light snowstorm at the Outdoor Discover Center Birds of Prey Education Facility. Photo by Stacy Niedzwiecki.

“Songbirds have a way of making everyone smile. This little guy is so round and cute, and he gives me hope of a nearing spring.” – photographer Brad Reed.

A lone seagull rests carefully on a piling at a marina along the Grand River in Grand Haven, Michigan. Photography by Stacy Niedzwiecki.

Hundreds of canvasback ducks take to the air with a thunderous roar over partially frozen Hamlin Lake. Photography by Brad Reed.

“This was my first wild Snowy Owl sighting, and I was fortunate enough to spend all afternoon watching it.” – photographer Stacy Niedzwiecki.

Geese gather in the early morning at Grand River Park in Ottawa County, Michigan. Photography by John Dykstra.

“A male cardinal, in all his glory, perches on a rock along the Sable River. The red birds stand out year-around but especially brighten the winter landscape of the park and brighten my day.” – photographer Todd Reed.

A Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) perched high on a tree top in Ottawa County, Michigan. Photography by John Dykstra.

A male Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in Ottawa County, Michigan – photographed by John Dykstra.

“Few creatures in the world are as mesmerizing to me as snowy owls. This was the first one I had ever seen in the wild and I was lucky enough to have my camera with me when we came eye to eye.” – photographer Brad Reed

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) photographed in Ottawa County, Michigan by John Dykstra

“A male ruffed grouse drums on a log near Hale, Michigan. He’s attempting to attract a mate. Even after mating season, the male will drum occasionally to maintain his territory.” ~ Wayne Pope

A white-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) near Kingsley, Michigan by photographer Tom Haxby.

A Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) poses for photographer John Dykstra in Muskegon County, Michigan.

A Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) wading, photographed by John Dykstra in Ottawa County, Michigan.

Photographer Wayne Pope photograph of a female house wren, preparing to feed her chicks.

“Over time man has designed and built many beautiful things-the Colosseum in Rome, the Statue of Liberty, and the 1965 Ford Mustang just to name a few. They are each a perfect blending of beautiful lines and powerful angles. However, none of them compare to one of God’s most beautiful creations of all time, the bald eagle.” ~ Brad Reed

Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) coming in for a landing in Allegan County, Michigan. Photo captured by John Dykstra.

The American Robin or North American Robin (Turdus migratorius) perched in a corkscrew willow tree in the photographer’s back yard. Robins are migratory songbirds of the thrush family, and are the state bird of Connecticut, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Photo by Stacy Niedzwiecki.

A common loon (Gavia immer) and chicks, photographed in Lake County, Michigan by John Dykstra.