There are few things in nature so graceful and sublime as the tundra swan in flight. In recent weeks they've been arriving in sizeable flocks from their wintering grounds along the mid-Atlantic Coast.
A split second before touch down in a local farm field, this pair will join the main flock in gleaning the remnants of last year's crop.
Their respite will be brief before continuing onward to their breeding grounds in the Far North. The landowner said the previous two days the south end of this field held so many swans it resembled moguls on a ski slope.
While only a remnant of the previous day's flock remains, there were enough to suit me. This photo was taken seconds after they spotted me in a hedgerow. Moments before they were meandering about, heads to the ground as they helped themselves to last fall's leftovers. Now alert, their necks erect, they begin to move slowly away.
I certainly would liked to have captured this group against a blue sky....but like the saying goes, you play the hand you're dealt.
This is Raven, a first year black lab and she certainly doesn't seem to mind Claudia and I encroaching on her territory. Though these are her stomping grounds, she could care less about swans.....she just wants to make friends! Raven is owned by Ed and Luanne Mileham who told us about the swans and gave us access to take photos. Thanks Ed & Luanne!!!
By the time the mating season kicks into high gear, these swans will be just a memory, nesting somewhere in the Canadian Far North.
Ma Nature provides the best
Ma Nature provides the best entertainment around! Thanks for sharing!!!
You're welcome, Robert!
You're welcome, Robert!
Once again, your photographs
Once again, your photographs are wonderful! Thank you!
Duplicate post, my apologies
Duplicate post, my apologies
Thank you, Jennifer.....FYI,
Thank you, Jennifer.....FYI, members of the Batavia Photography Club have some of their work on display at the Richmond Library. I've been told that, among the variety of genre, there are some great nature photos being exhibited. We hope to stop by today.
LOL Jim is that before or
LOL Jim is that before or after visiting the Mammoth sale next door...
Kyle - with two dogs and a
Kyle - with two dogs and a cat we spend enough on pet food and treats as it is....ergo, no mammoth for us.