Resting Tundra Swans on ice – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I haven’t yet gotten the photos of Tundra Swans this year that I would like to take but that won’t stop me from sharing some that I have taken this winter. While I was at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge two days ago I couldn’t resist taking photos of the Tundra Swans on ice that I saw. Most of the swans were resting on the ice shelf next to open water. Some of them were calling though and that sound delighted my auditory senses.
The swans were a distance from the auto tour route so I didn’t get the frame filling images of them that I would have liked to have taken. I like flock photos of these large, white waterfowl though so I had to click the shutter button.
Tundra Swans from a distance – Nikon D810, f13, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 70mm, natural light
I remembered to take some photos that showed the swans and the marshy habitat of the refuge. The distant Wasatch Mountain Range rises above the wetlands to the east. The flocks of swans were on the ice and in the open water along with ducks and gulls.
Tundra Swans on ice and open water – Nikon D810, f9, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 70-300mm VR at 220mm, natural light
I wish that everyone could experience seeing and hearing the Tundra Swans at the refuge. I also wish that more people could sit and listen to their calls echoing over the wetlands and the sound of their wings as they lift off. It is such a peaceful experience to observe, listen to and photograph these birds. It does a body good.
I may not get the Tundra Swan photos I would like to take this winter but just a few moments with them is something I would never pass up.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Tundra Swans photos plus facts and information about this species.
This experience sounds like a dream. Thanks for sharing it.
Spectacular setting. Great pics. Thanks Mia.
I love Swans. A friend of mine had a swan that lived on his pond. But your pictures are great. It’s nice to see them in their habitat with water and ice in the foreground and the magnificent mountains in the distance. I close my eyes and I can feel cold air coming from the picture. Hopefully you will take more pictures this winter. Your close ups are interesting. Their necks are longer than the Trumpeter Swans. Very enjoyable to see. Thanks for sharing!
I would love to spend a few hours watching and listening to these beautiful swans.
So great to see them with a large view of their habitat included!
Wow. That is something I wish I could experience. Thank you – and thank you for the photos showing their background. Beautiful.
I took photos of our Tundra Swans on the upper Niagara River this week. I sat and listened to their calls for quite some time. Peaceful!