Today is March 9th, and it is Utah’s Swan Day 2024! The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge auto tour loop is a terrific place to see these lovely white swans.
Winter Tundra Swan portrait – Nikon D500, f11, 1/3200, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Visitor Center will have a swan exhibit, swan themed activities, swan story time, a photo workshop, and live raptor presentations. The events start at 10 a.m. which leaves plenty of time to go to the auto tour loop before or after the events.
From the visitor center or the auto tour loop it is possible to see and hear the swans lifting off from the marshes and wetlands as they fly towards their feeding grounds.
During my winters in northern Utah, I have relished both seeing and hearing the Tundra Swans while they are visiting. I’ve also seen a few Trumpeter Swans and one Bewick’s Swan, too.
Last year on March 2nd, I had my best day with the swans ever. I was able to photograph a banded/collared Tundra Swan and learn more about that particular swan from the bander.
I came upon a flock of swans that were close enough to the auto tour loop that I was able to take portraits of the closest swan, which was resting on the ice, without disturbing it. The Tundra Swan was gorgeous on the snow-covered ice, and the specular highlights just seemed to accentuate how cold and snowy it was last winter.
Tundra Swan resting way out on the ice – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/6400, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
That same morning, I found a solitary, resting Tundra Swan way out on the ice and stopped to take some photos. I knew that it would be a great comparison photo to share with any of the portraits I had taken that morning.
From far away or close up, I always love taking photos of the swans and listening to their calls. They are simply magnificent.
Visit the refuge if you can; the swans will be leaving for their breeding grounds soon!
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Tundra Swan photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my Trumpeter Swan photos plus facts and information about this species.
I was there too not far behind you. I didn’t see the banded bird, but saw a few close by and the solitary bird out on the ice, I hoped was ok. I have missed seeing them close this year. I can still hear calls far away though. I am missing so many of my favorite things, there’s hope of some normality?
I’ve missed seeing them up close too this winter. I don’t know that normal will ever return.