Tundra and Trumpeter Swans may stop over in Banff NP when heading north to their breeding ground and or when they are heading south for the winter. Most of the times it’s rare to see them up close in the park, let alone both species together close by. In my case one of each swan was about 50 meters away, with them above the water I was able to clearly see the size difference. It can get difficult when they are in the water, even with the weight difference. An adult tundra can weigh up to 14lbs and 30lbs for the trumpeter. I saw them over a few days, they would spend the night and early morning on one side of the valley and the rest of the time on the other. I was watching them for an hour or so, when their head started bobbing in sync, getting ready to fly. When they were taking off they were too close to get both in the frame, but this was my favorite picture with the snow peak in the background.
Tundra Swan
After watching mountain goats on the sides of the mountains from the road, an hour later I was watching 6 Tundra Swans in a very cold lake. They were taking a well deserved break from their migration to the South. It was time to groom and eat in the shallow waters.
Until next moment,
Amar
Tundra Swan
It's not everyday one gets to see a performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake in the mountains, in this case it help having a wild imagination. The performance was provided by two Tundra Swans, 12 Canada Geese and about 40 to 50 Bohemian Waxwings. Viewed by two curious muskrats, passing by American Robins, various chickadees and I sitting on my butt. The waxwings provided the aerial performances, catching insects in the air. It goes without saying, some of the more aggressive dance movements and vocals were provided by the geese, if I did not know better I think they were trying to steal the show. The swans in this production played a supporting role, except when of one ran on the water and took flight for few seconds. Three hours well spent.
Until next moment,
Amar
Amar
Tundra Swans
Two Tundra Swans resting in the mountains, before they contuine their journey to the nesting grounds of the tundra on top of North America. Always happy when they stop over, giving us a chance to see this beautiful bird. Every year its different, I may see them in banff National Park one year and not a another. But every spring I will look for them and during fall as well.
Until next moment,
Amar
Tundra Swans
Its the weeks of the swans. For well over a week I have been seeing and taking pictures of swans. So I thought I post a picture a day for today and the next four days.
Until next moment,
Amar
Tundra Swans
For over a week now swans are being spotted in the Bow Valley, both Trumpeter and Tundra Swans. Here are Tundra Swans taking in the sun last week on a cool morning with snow from prevous days.
Until next moment,
Amar
Tundra Swans
Took 964 pictures in just under 3 hours of 11 species of birds while I was walking along Bow River. Why so many pictures? Let me explain using the attached picture. After taking lot of pictures of several birds I came across two Tundra Swans, seen them three days in a row on the same part of the Bow. Closes I could get to them was about 70 meters, and even with lot of water between us they still would move away.
I taking pictures of the pair of Common Mergansers, that kept close to where I was standing. I looked over at the pair of swans that were about 100 meters from me that day. Took some pictures and waited to see what they were up to. Slowly they started to come in my direction, closer they got more pictures I took. Just when I thought they would stop they got closer, stopped about 50 meters from me, standing on a shallow area in the river grooming themselves.
I had my camera set up to take 6 frames per second under the right conditions. From the time I decided to press the button to take a picture, birds can move their head, close their eyes and the smaller birds can even be on a another branch. To increase my chance of getting a keeper, I'll take pictures of birds in bursts of six. Out of the six pictures taken in a second, there is a better chance that one picture is of the bird when its still, all or most of it is in focus, eye or eyes visible (light in their eyes, even better), etc...
For the 964 pictures, the cost is no longer buying the slide film and paying to get it developed or waiting for it to get developed, its the time spent going through them on your computer. It was fun looking at 964 pictures, keeping 295 (may decrease ) and out of 295 using 14 to remember the morning walk. While deciding what to keep, I see birds in ways I can't with my naked eyes, increasing my understanding increasing my appreciation.
Back to the swans, I got them framed taking pictures every know and then. They are back to back grooming them self,and the swan facing away from me beats its wings for about 4 seconds. I get 18 pictures of this action, from those 18 pictures I pick out the one that stands out, to share the moment.
Until next moment,
Amar