A few days ago, an old Facebook memory showed up where I shared that I had seen my first of season Tundra Swans and I realized I won’t be seeing them this year.
It’s a good thing I took as many photos of the swans as I did when I lived in Utah—sometimes to the point of what others might consider “excessive.” Not that I care what anyone else thinks about that. I do what I do because I want to.
Tundra Swans standing on ice – Nikon D500, f11, 1/1250, ISO 1250, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
But the memories of the Tundra Swans in Utah will stick with me as long as I live. I loved hearing the first Tundra Swan calls of the season, and seeing large flocks of these white waterfowl on the wing brought me joy.
Photographing the swans? That was simply magical.
The calls of Tundra Swans touch something deep inside me—something wild, untamed, and free.
So yes, I’ll miss those Tundra Swans I used to see and photograph in Utah. I still have hundreds of images of these swans I haven’t processed yet, and I’d bet there are a few gems among them I can share later.
But…
I’m looking forward to the winter waterfowl I’ll be seeing here, including blizzards of Snow and Ross’s Geese that will fly into Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge very soon. I already saw my first Snow Goose at the refuge last week.
There’s a chance I’ll also get to photograph some Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks again. I used to see them in Florida.
And who knows, I might even spot a Tundra Swan at the refuge too. I’ve found a few rarities during my days in the field! That can happen again.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Tundra Swan photos plus facts and information about this species.
I was thinking of Tundra Swans this morning as it should be very soon that they will arrive on the Niagara River. At least I hope climate change hasn’t affected that. I love their calls too.
Your photo files are extensive – and your memory banks even richer.