When I explored the marshes at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge on Monday I was able to take photos of one Tundra Swan framed by phrags from the dirt road. The swan was resting on the water that had iced over during the night. The temp was about 24°F when I took images of this swan and I am sure it was colder than that earlier in the morning.
Tundra Swan framed by phragmites – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/5000, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Before I came upon this individual I saw more of these large, white swans from the west side of the auto tour loop. Those swans were too far away to obtain high quality photographs of them but I stopped my Jeep and scoped them with my lens.
I stopped because I wanted to sit still and listen to them call. I closed my eyes and just listened as their calls echoed over the marsh. The calls of Tundra Swans and Sandhill Cranes reaches a part of me that is just as wild as they are. I truly wish everyone could hear those calls at least once in their lifetime. The truth is though, hearing the swans once would never be enough.
Memories of Tundra Swans in Virginia
As I listened to the swans at the refuge on Monday, I recalled the times I heard and saw this same swan species while sitting in my boat in Virginia. I can vividly recall the winding, dark-watered river going through the swamplands, the trees lining it, and the aged cypress knees sticking out of the water. I can almost smell the brackish water of the Piankatank River. By using the trolling motor and maneuvering through the trees and bends in the river, which hid my presence, there were times I could sneak up on the swans on the water. Oh, how I wish I had been a bird photographer back then. They were glorious to see and hear.
I am very much looking forward to heading back up to the refuge here in Utah to listen the Tundra Swans again. Their calls soothe and excite me at the same time.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Tundra Swan photos plus facts and information about this species.
Serene, beautiful…perfect! Thanks Mia.
I do love your connection to the natural world.
I had to look up the difference between Tundra, Trumpeter, and Mute!
https://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/swan-information/identification/overview.html
I love swans, their grace, the soft calls, family units, their slow take off from water, even their territory disputes. I could watch them forever. They are what I imagine dragons being like. Wouldn’t that be a sight, swans shooting flames! I am so happy they are back! Yes their call is wonderful. Unfortunately I still have their terrified screams stuck in my head from the storm that bought so many down to their death . That event really traumatized me. I wish it would not stay in my memory. I was worried it would make it so I can not enjoy their soft trumping calls but fortunately it did not effect my enjoyment. I need to just go out often and listen to the wonderful calls to replace and remove the bad memory. In many ways being a wildlife rehabber has taken away my enjoyment of the moment. We become so attuned to see what is wrong, it is sometimes hard to just enjoy the right.
April, I remember your vivid descriptions of that storm event that brought so many down to their deaths here in northern Utah. I hope that this winter you can replace the memories of that storm event with memories of joy, their calls on the marshes, and the wonderful visual spectacle that they are.
Our Tundra Swans that overwinter on the upper Niagara River are late in arriving this year. I, too, love to listen to their calls. I’m looking forward to hearing their calls again.