Sidelit Tundra Swan on ice – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This Saturday, March 13th, is Swan Day here in Utah. It is a day to celebrate these large, white, beautiful birds that spend time here during the winter. In a normal year there would be in person activities planned at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge near Brigham City, the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center at Farmington Bay WMA, and the Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area near Corrine.
Because of the pandemic no in person activities of been planned however if you are on Facebook Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge has some fun and educational virtual activities planned for the day starting at 10 a.m. Mountain Time.
Resting Tundra Swans and snow tipped mountains- Nikon D810, f9, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 170mm, natural light
A drive out to the auto tour route of Bear River MBR where the swans can be seen in the marshes is always a delight. This Saturday is supposed to be partly cloudy at the refuge with day time temps reaching a high of 50°F. The views of thousands of swans can be spectacular and the scenery isn’t bad either.
Tundra Swan pair and an icy marsh- Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Tundra Swans can be found in many locations next to the auto tour route. The swans can be skittish so I photograph them by using a vehicle as a mobile blind to minimize disturbances. They are used to vehicles but people on foot can make them lift off. I recommend staying in your vehicle if there are other people around, if you scare off the swans those people might not be too happy.
Tundra Swans taking flight from an icy marsh- Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The swans can be heard at times before they are seen. Seeing the swans resting, feeding, squabbling, preening, and taking flight is a treat.
Tundra Swans and winter sky – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Tundra Swans are the swans we see most here in northern Utah but Trumpeters Swans show up every year in lower numbers.
If you want to see the swans I recommend you visit one of the areas I mentioned above because they will soon be on the wing to their breeding grounds.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Tundra Swan photos and here for Trumpeter Swans.
By sheer coincidence I happened to be listening to Tchaikovsky when I pulled up today’s post. Great Swan photos; great music…does it get any better than that? Thanks Mia.
Enjoyed your albums/posts with all the photos of the two species.
Swans are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing these shots.
Your white swans are sooooo exotic to me.
Thank you for sharing their beauty.
Beautiful photos! Sadly I still feel a tinge of sadness in my heart when I see them.
April, I hope that your memories of that awful night and day soften over time.