Mike from FawkesFocus.com with glasses in a casual green jacket and dark shirt posing against a neutral background. Professional appearance suitable for business or tech settings.

Hi, I'm Mike —
Birder, Amateur Photographer & Harry Potter Fan

Hi, I’m Mike – a birder and amateur photographer who loves capturing birds doing their thing in the wild. My photos aren’t perfect, but each one represents hours spent learning, failing, and occasionally getting lucky. I’ll admit I sometimes go overboard in Lightroom – photography is a constant learning process for me.

For fellow photography nerds, I include all the technical details with each shot – camera settings, location, and what I was trying (often failing) to accomplish. Maybe my trial-and-error can help others too.

As a Harry Potter fan, I named this site after Fawkes the phoenix because birds amaze me with their resilience and spirit. These images are free to enjoy, but please respect the copyright – they’re my personal work, not stock photos. If you share them, credit is appreciated. Love the pics? Consider supporting bird conservation at Cornell Ornithology!

Happy birding,
-Mike

Fawkes Focus Photo Galleries

Birds don’t pose—they just do their thing, and I try to keep up. You’ll find real shots here: some sharp, some blurry, all honest. I include camera settings because let’s face it, half the battle is figuring out how to actually use the gear. Dive in, laugh at my fails, and enjoy the birds being their wild, weird selves.

—Mike

Raptors rule the skies on their own terms. My photos capture hawks, owls, and eagles as they really are – powerful hunters going about their business. No staged shots here, just real moments of wild behavior. Every image represents hours of waiting for that perfect dive, strike, or takeoff.

Gamebirds

Gamebirds embody nature’s perfect balance of elegance and resilience—from the regal strut of a ring-necked pheasant to the thunderous flush of a ruffed grouse. These birds thrive at the edge of flight and camouflage, masters of their domain. Here, I aim to capture their fleeting moments of wild authenticity.

Herons and Egrets

Patience perfected. Whether standing statue-still in golden light or striking like lightning through water, herons and egrets move with otherworldly grace. These images chase the quiet drama of their hunts—where every ripple and reflection tells a story.

Kingbirds and Flycatchers

Tyrants of the treetops—kingbirds chase off hawks twice their size, while flycatchers perform aerial acrobatics mid-hunt. These small but fierce birds rule their perches with sharp eyes and even sharper reflexes. Here, I try to freeze their split-second energy in frames. Proof that attitude isn’t measured in grams.

Pelicans

Living fossils with wings, pelicans move with prehistoric grace—whether gliding inches above waves or collapsing into the water like feathered cannonballs. Their effortless grandeur hides a fierce precision: every plunge is a masterclass in survival. These frames capture their paradox of power and serenity.

Shorebirds

Fast-moving and always busy, shorebirds work the tides like clockwork. Sandpipers, plovers, and other walkers chase the water’s edge, probing for food with relentless focus. My shots capture their nonstop action – running from waves, sudden takeoffs, and the occasional pause. It’s all about timing and anticipating their next move.

Songbirds and Perching Birds​

Nature’s finest performers—bursting with color, song, and personality. From jewel-toned warblers to boisterous wrens, these small wonders turn every branch into a stage. My lens chases their fleeting vibrance: a flicker of wings, a stolen note, the quiet intensity of a sparrow’s gaze.

Waterbirds and Waders

Ducks and geese live life on the water and in the air. Whether dabbling in shallow marshes or flying in tight formations, they’re built for efficiency. My photos show their daily routines – feeding, preening, taking off, and landing. No staged shots, just real behavior as it happens.

Woodpeckers and Tree Foragers

Nature’s carpenters—armed with chisel beaks and jackhammer rhythm, they turn deadwood into drumlines and insect buffets. From the clownish flicker to the elusive pileated, these birds don’t just live in trees; they unlock them. Here, I chase their percussive lives: a flash of red, a spray of bark, the echo of their work ringing through the forest.

Interesting Birding Facts

Get in Touch

Thanks for visiting my birding photography site! If you’d like to connect, share feedback, or just chat about birds, feel free to reach out via email or Instagram (links below).

I’m always learning, so if you spot a misidentified bird or notice any website issues, please let me know—I appreciate the help!

Happy birding,
Mike

Email:

Mike@FawkesFocus.com

Location:

Denver, Colorado, USA

Instagram

@FawkesFocus

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