This morning I’m sharing photos of five bird species that I find on ice during the coldest months of the year in marsh and urban locations.
Trumpeter Swan on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm, natural light
Trumpeter Swans are far less common than Tundra Swans in northern Utah but I find some now and then during the late fall and early spring in the marshes of Bear River MBR.
Common Raven walking on ice – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/320, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Common Ravens on ice are a rather frequent sight for me but this one was unusual because the raven was walking on the ice all by itself. I usually see Common Ravens in pairs. Ravens remind me of lovers or best friends getting into mischief together because I almost always see them in pairs.
Wary Canada Goose on ice – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Canada Geese on ice are a very common sight for me but I try to never take them for granted. I think they are interesting birds and the ice accentuates their beauty.
Stretching Ring-billed Gull on ice – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 500, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As abundant as Ring-billed Gulls are here in northern Utah, I still focus on them a lot. Like the Canada Geese, I try to never take them for granted and I enjoy having them in my viewfinder. I liked how the gull was stretching its wings straight up in this photo of it standing on the ice.
Tundra Swan and shadow on ice – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm, natural light
And finally, the more abundant but gorgeous Tundra Swans thrill and delight me when they are here in northern Utah. This Tundra Swan standing on ice was photographed on the same day and close to the Trumpeter Swan above.
I think that birds on ice make great subjects and they are more than worth getting chilly for.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my bird photos in my galleries.
Wonderful series of pics. I particularly like the Gull stretching his wings. Thanks Mia.
Wonderful images with succinct and informative captions. I must now pay more attention to the ravens. Yes, they often were in ones or twos. Maybe missing a silent partner.
These are just gorgeous, Mia. While I was scanning through your photos it struck me how black those legs on the swans are, and then I realized it’s probably to help absorb as much heat from the sun as possible on those cold, winter days! May you need a pair of black winter boots? 😁
Such hardy, and beautiful, critters. Thank you.
Great shots, thanks for sharing!