When I heard that there had been some sightings of swans now that we have some open water, I vowed to at last get some photos of them. 13 years we have been here and now I finally made the effort!
We had to travel some 10 miles or so up the lake to find them; they were on a quiet backwater channel some distance from the highway.
Would you bushwack your way through that tangle of briars to get a few photos? Why, of course, I knew you would! Actually, I couldn't help thinking of Val and Aurora as I followed the deer tracks through the underbrush to find the easiest way through.
And there they were! Two groups; these three and two more downstream from them.
They had spotted me and were nonchalantly swimming away.
I could see that there was a duck nearby but it wasn't until I got the photos on my computer and cropped them down that I could see it's a Hooded Merganser. Bonus!
As far as I can tell these are Whistling Swans, the most common one in this part of the world. Their call was more like a goose than the call of the Trumpeter swan, which is more rare.
Not the crispest of photos, even though I had my tripod. But they were quite a distance away and I had max zoom on them.
It was a bit of a steep climb back up to the road and I spotted this hole in a tree at one of my rest stops. I wonder if it's a home for a bird like a Flicker, Owl or just a place where the woodpeckers were dining.
There were lots of these moss covered rocks too, some of them huge. Definitely don't step on them or you will go sliding! I managed to get all the way to the top before my foot went through a snow covered hole between the rocks. It always happens just when you think you are home free! But no worries, just a wet butt.
9 comments:
They are beautiful and worth the hike and maybe the wet butt! I love swans, so graceful and regal.
You did it! Those photos were very much worth the hike, and I thank you for sharing them with us. You went in and brought us back some beauty.
Worth the brush busting for sure! I am anxiously awaiting a day to get out and look for swans, geese, and other birds.
My goal is to get a shot of swans! Wow. Wonderful hike. Except for slippery moss covered rocks.
I've never seen swans in person. You're very fortunate!💜😊
Ohhhh, I love how you spent your beautiful day!!! I would absolutely bushwack to experience the swans, and you got great pics too! Slips happen to the best of us. Glad you didn't get hurt.
I've never heard of Whistling Swans. I really don't know much about swans. Of course I googled them. Incase anyone else is wondering:
"The easiest way to tell a trumpeter swan from a tundra swan is by their calls, according to The Trumpeter Swan Society. Trumpeter swans have a loud call that resembles a bugle or trumpet, while a tundra swan has a more high-pitched call that has earned it the nickname "the whistling swan."
You've inspired me! I've shot pelicans for a few years, now I want to find swans closer up. I've seen/shot them way in the distance. Both kind of swans have been spotted not too far from me. I need to road trip soon!
Thanks for sharing the beauty you found!!
Very cool sighting. I was with my birding daughter in Georgia when a group flew over. She was kicking herself afterwards that we just stood gawking and didn't take a picture to id them by. Great pictures.
Beautiful birds, well worth that walk in the briars!
Swans! How very awesome indeed. Love your photos!
great capture! I see them often in the fall but I don't believe I have ever in the spring, not that its anywhere close here
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