Trumpeter Swan

Description:

Trumpeter swans are the largest waterfowl in North America. These big birds may weigh as much as 32 lbs. and have powerful wings that span about 6 feet. They are white with black bills and feet.

Habitat:

Trumpeters in Minnesota use wintering areas on open water on larger river systems, such as the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. During warmer months they are found in wetlands, such as the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area where these two were found.

Notes:

It was a very cold morning with a very stiff wind blowing across the river from the southwest. I knew these big birds would be flying in and having to bank to their left--right in front of me--to land on a small unfrozen area of the river. I like the look of birds banking like this as it creates a more dynamic look than a bird flying level (although I take a lot of flight photos like that as well). It was cold though and, even though dressed warmly, that cold was knifing right through my coat and I had to retreat to my car several times over the course of two hours of photographing these gorgeous birds.