A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Cygnus buccinator
Adult Trumpeter Swan in flight. Trumpeter have been more frequent and numerous but earlier, I did both see and photograph what I believe to be a Tundra Swan. I'm not sure if you can tell from underneath but the "lips" appear a bit red in this image so perhaps its another Tundra Swan?
Over and in the Otter Tail River, near a dam that helps keep the water open while other areas freeze over due (I believe) to the lower than normal water levels due to our recent drought
As mentioned in a previous (Tundra Swan) post, I'd seen Swans down in the river near public land when I stopped my car and went down to do some photography. All but one of the Swans flew away at my approach. The remaining one was what I believe to be my first-ever seen Tundra Swan. I've been photographing Trumpeter Swans up here now for going on four years so, while I've never seen or photographed a Tundra Swan before, that doesn't mean they're not or never have been Tundra Swans here before. Having seen the Tundra Swan earlier on the same day however, I'm not sure if this is a Trumpeter or a Tundra Swan. I'm also not sure if there were more Tundra Swans on the river this day or not as the Swans were hardier than I and kept their distance for the hour I was there. Hopefully I'll be able to get back there and stay a little long to see if they're still here and if so, how many. On this particular day the high temperature was 9 degrees Fahrenheit and the low was -11, not including windchill factors. Also in the area at this time were: 3 male Common Goldeneyes, an American Mink and a Kangaroo Rat. I also thought I heard a Belted Kingfisher but I never saw it so I could be mistaken as I believe they usually leave or migrate in November.
JamesFunk-Thank you! me too but I wasn't positive so I threw it out there. Majority rules and all that. "-)
( I messed up with the comments, sorry, going to check on the internet for the exact species)
Since you know the common and scientific names, you should update the spotting...By the way, there is a wonderful poem by Mary Oliver:
http://www.poetseers.org/contemporary-po...
I'm leaning toward a Trumpeter Swan because it seems as though the black of the bill runs into black of the facial skin. A Tundra has a yellow spot in front of the eye which makes it whiter looking around the eye.
Spotted on Dec 24, 2012
Submitted on Dec 28, 2012
