Adult Tundra Swan flying low over the marsh at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I am itching to get back out into the field and one of the places I am most excited to get back to is Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Box Elder County, Utah because of the Tundra Swans that I know are there. It is amazing to see and hear these large, white swans by the hundreds and thousands and it can be more than challenging to describe the feelings I have while I observe and photograph them.
I can say with absolute certainty that I feel more than lucky to live where I can see them during their migration and to hear their calls reverberating over the marshes. Before long the swans that moved on when the water at the refuge froze over in the marsh will return to our refuge in large numbers to rest up and refuel before making their long journeys to the tundra in northern Canada and Alaska to breed near ponds, lakes and river deltas.
During the time that the Tundra Swans are at the refuge I am able to see adults who have made the long journey south to the refuge before…
Immature Tundra Swan flapping its wings – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And immature swans that have made their first long migration and are experiencing their first winters far from their natal nesting grounds. When I sit watching and photographing these young Tundra Swans and think about how long their first migration is in miles I am wonderstruck.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Tundra Swan photos plus facts and information about this species.
I am also thinking about the refuge staff during their forced, unpaid and needless furloughs. I know the dedicated, valuable staff at the refuge don’t deserve this BS and neither do the rest of our federal employees.
One of my favorite experiences. I bought a microphone for my camera in hopes of recording the sound. So far thy have not been close enough.
Ama,zing
I heartily agree with your take on the Tundra Swans as well as with your take on the petulant 3-year-old and his BS.
And me.
They are so large, always a joy to see them.
We have always had Tundra Swans in the upper Niagara River from November to late February. This year they arrived on time, stayed for about 3 weeks and have disappeared. I had taken photos but not photos that were to my liking which at the time didn’t seem to matter as I “knew” they would be around all winter. Climate change?