Adult and immature Tundra Swans in flight with a cloudy sky behind them – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’ve seen Tundra Swans from a distance at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge recently but I haven’t had a chance to see them close enough to get photos like the one above. The swan on the right is an adult, the swan on the left is immature which is indicated by the lack of the yellow loral spot plus the smudgy, grayish head and neck.
Note: Not all adult Tundra Swans have a pronounced or even visible yellow loral spot.
One of the things I love most about having the Tundra Swans in northern Utah is hearing them. As their calls echo over the marsh I often forget about my troubles and the problems in our country and while I listen to them I feel at peace. Have a listen to a flock of Tundra Swans calling here.
These two Tundra Swans had taken off from the marsh and flew in front of me with a cloudy sky in the background.
Calling Tundra Swan flying over the marsh – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Some of my favorite Tundra Swan images in my portfolio have snow covered mountains in the backgrounds of the photos plus a bit of the marshes of the refuge in them. I enjoy seeing the habitat I find and photograph my subjects in because it conveys a sense of place.
I need to get to Bear River MBR soon because I have visions of Tundra Swans drifting through my mind and I’d love to see them in person on the marshes of the refuge again.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Tundra Swan photos plus facts and information about this species.
Gorgeous shots Mia. The contrasts and depth of field you captured is simply wonderful. Thanks.
Another month and we should have the ‘lost few’ in the South Carolina marshes. Only a few hundred but we are much further south than they should go.
Love the choreography in that first shot.
A beautiful, beautiful sight to behold.
Beautiful shots!
Thanks Dick.
I love Tundra Swans & I love hearing their calls. This year we had a few pair arrive early in November on the upper Niagara River. Then they were gone. I have not seen any since. I took photographs but not in earnest as I knew I would have plenty of opportunity later. Not so far!
Liz, sometimes that happens here, the swans come in for a little while then the water freezes over and they move on for a little while. I usually have better luck photographing them here in late January, February and early March