Some folks don’t have much appreciation for photos of Tundra Swans but I’m not one of them. Most winters around here they’re completely unapproachable but this year has been different and I’ve been able to get close to them several times. All three of these photos were taken two weeks ago at Bear River MBR.
1/1000, f/9, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I think this one gives the viewer some sense of their impressive 5 1/2′ wingspan. I like the setting, the misty look of the background, the eye contact, the good detail that even includes some light in the eye and the contrast of the largely white swan to the black of the bird’s feet, legs, bill and eye.
1/1000, f/9, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Eight shots later the same swan had gained elevation which put the Promontory Mountains in the background and the stand of phrags at bottom now anchors the image.
I was able to get many photos of this bird from the beginning of takeoff from the water until it veered away to the north in flight but these days, because of my ongoing bout with shingles, long blog posts with many images just aren’t in my repertoire. Hopefully I’ll be able to post longer series of images soon.
I’ve learned something interesting about herpes zoster during this last nine days of shingles pain. If you go to the doctor and he/she diagnoses you with shingles they don’t charge you for the office visit. Why? Because shingles are “on the house”.
Sorry about that! It’s a groaner I know but that cheesy joke, told to me over the phone by my daughter Shannon a few days ago, provided me with one of the few laughs I’ve had recently so I decided to share. Shannon knows her dad’s primitive sense of humor pretty well.
Ron
PS – At the last minute I decided to include the following photo as a “bonus shot”. The light was poor and some of the whites don’t have much detail but I do like the seemingly choreographed body postures of the three swans taking off with their heads and necks sticking up in perfectly spaced and positioned stacked layers.
These days I appreciate anything that amuses me…
1/1600, f/8, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
OK, I’m late to this post, but as beautiful as the first two images are (and they ARE beautiful), I’m utterly gobsmacked by the third! You couldn’t have choreographed that any more perfectly if you HAD to! Oh MY!! What stunning spectacularness!! And just PFFT at the folks who don’t appreciate swans! Seriously? PFFT!
I wish I could take your pain away, but that’s not available. Just know I’m thinking of you and hope you’re taking care of YOU!
You know, Ron, if I could take one bird shot as good as any I’ve seen that you post every day from your archives (I am assuming the post herpes shots are from earlier outings) I would probably lay my camera down and say “that’s it, not going to get any better than that.” However, (and being a fellow zoster victim) I know the symptoms will subside, if not disappear all together, and you will inspire us with new knock-your-socks-off photos. But then, I’m sure your library can delight us for a long while.
Good timing on posting the Tundra so soon after the previous one. Good learning reinforcement for me.
Lyle, I appreciate your kind comment very much.
However, I’m betting that when you get that shot you like very, very much it’ll just inspire you to do even better. That’s what it did for me. And continues to do. The downside is that there’s no winning this game – I just want more and better, ad infinitim… 🙂
Beautiful shots!
Thanks, Jean.
I love any sound or sight of Tundra Swans, beautiful photos, the synchronized take off is nice. We had a memorable experience with a Tundra Swan. My daughter was young and only into rehab 2 years, she was also working at Tracy Aviary. While working Christmas eve at the aviary she received a radio call that a DNR officer wanted her at the front office. This scared her and she was going through her mind with thoughts of “what could I have done wrong?”. When she got to the office she met an officer, who became a long time friend, and he gave her an injured Tundra Swan. It was a sight I won’t forget, my daughter came home Christmas Eve with a bird as big as her. We put it up in a crate in our greenhouse overnight until we could transport it in the morning to Ogden. The Cat who slept in the greenhouse was very unhappy, she thought we had brought home a dragon between it’s hissing sound and size. To this day I am amazed my daughter wrangled that bird, they are huge.
That’s a great story, April. Based on everything you’ve said about your daughter over the last few years it sounds like she’s very devoted to the work she does with birds. And has been for a very long time.
Ron, there is something so peaceful about swans. Their white color with the black markings along with their graciousness almost makes them look “pure as driven snow”.
At least your readers kept you laughing about the shingles. I’m sure it is hard to find a “laugh” these days.
Thanks again for keeping up your blog, Ron, and hope you are making some progress at getting better.
Yup, I got some much appreciated chuckles from my readers today, Alice.
I love the startling crisp white of the curled wings in the 2nd shot- marvelous lighting in the whole view. Thank you!
That one’s my favorite, Diane. Thanks.
Beautiful series! Especially like the spread of the wings in the fitst and the choreograhed look of the third…so glad you included it!!!
Thanks very much, Patty.
And that is why we have a rock roof! 😉 These are fabulous shots, Ron. I especially like the bonus — makes me think of speed skaters or the new olympic event “synchronize swanning.” (That’s what you get for the shingles pun; house you like them apples? 😛 )
Glad Shannon continues her amazing recovery. Do you ever get down to see her?
Thanks, Marty. I don’t get down there to see her as often as I’d like to.
You’re right, that first image gives one a sense of how really large these birds are! Despite their size, the details in your photographs are amazing. One more testament to your skill.
That bonus image reminds me of one of those “stop action” shots of a single bird taking off. Impressed that you got them to follow your choreography.
Okay, I can’t resist joining in.
No matter what insurance you have, with shingles, you’re always covered.
Please be well.
Ha, good one, Wally. And true!
Marvelous series Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
You took great advantage of the swans being close. I look forward to seeing more of the photos in the series. Good to hear that Shannon is still doing well. I tried to use the multiple meanings of staple to follow up on “nailed the shingles joke” but all my effort paled in comparison.
Ha, thanks for even trying, Dave.
Beautiful!!! Well almost 30 days and no lense back yet .. so much for expedited services for canon Gold members … I’m getting pretty disgusted with the whole organization .. also on the good side kestrals are plentiful here in western Colorado .. the bird I’m not seeing is Horned Larks…. they were always here by the hundreds .. didn’t see a single one yesterday in theyre usual pow wow grounds …
That’s terrible service, Marina – especially considering you’ve got CPS. I assume you’ve communicated with them as to why. Hope they have a very good excuse…
Horned Larks are unusually scarce around here too.
Great shots Ron, I love em all, but especially the last one. Yes the choreography is there, but I like the feeling the sense of unison that these swans have!
Thanks very much, Dick.
Its still early here. I told my wife your shingles joke. There was a major groan and her forehead went into her hands. A real “groaner”. The swans are great! Thanks for the AM humor!
You’re lucky she didn’t take a swing at you, Frank!
I love these photos!! All are 1st rate in my book but I especially like the third one. Great choreography!
Thank you, Joanne.
That last shot made me think, ” Charge of the WHITE brigade”…….on a less silly note, I’m so glad to hear you mention Shannon and that she’s telling you jokes–I’ve been hoping
that her recovery is continuing to move along well, and it sounds as if it IS !
Thank you, Kris. Shannon’s physical recover has been remarkable.
Ron, love the three of them taking off. Occasionally we will have one to four Tundra Swans stop here at one of our Prescott lakes. First time I saw them I had no idea what they were and had to ask our local bird expert. About three years back we a single Tundra Swan and a single White American Pelican here in December and into January just for about a month. Every spring either in April or May we have anywhere from 100 to 200 White American Pelicans stop over just one night and then in the late morning of the following day they take off for that Gunnison Island there in Utah. Always a great experience if you are lucky enough to catch them on that one day.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Everett, we’ve had pelicans here for over a week now. Very early for them.
Yes, Gunnison Island in the Great Salt Lake is a primary nesting spot for pelicans.
You really nailed the focus on the swan in flight, just like you nailed the shingles joke…
“just like you nailed the shingles joke”
Damn, I wish I’d thought of that, Bernie! Thanks for providing another rare chuckle.
I love that last photo! So glad you included it. I hope you see improvement soon in your shingles, so painful.
Thank you, Gail.
Beautiful! Glad you included the last photo (and the joke) 🙂 Gorgeous swans for sure and they seem so graceful in the photo’s even if not so much in real life for take offs! Shingles definitely take a person down……. 🙁
I was hesitant about including the joke, glad you appreciated it, Judy. Thanks.
Really like these photos…especially the second photo. Just feels like it is making eye contact with me alone and the separation of the feathers…great! There is just something special about swans that evokes a warm, fuzzy feeling! Must be something from a fairy tale that stuck in my mind! Glad your sense of humor is there. The pain can be excruciating.
I’m glad you appreciate swans like I do, Kathy. My sense of humor is still there, though it’s hard to find sometimes.