JulieMariePicsSwans
Posted on October 25, 2015
My spouse and I were able to visit the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary on Friday; her first visit. In addition to the most common swan – the Mute Swan – the sanctuary hosts Trumpeter Swans and an Australian Black Swan. The Mute Swan has an orange beak and the Trumpeter Swan has a black beak (although immature Trumpeter Swans have a red and black beak). I enjoy the majestic beauty of the swans, especially in flight. I hope you enjoy these swan images. As always, your comments are appreciated.
Mute Swan (banded for tracking)
Black Swan Hiding
Australian Black Swan Portrait
Trumpet Swans
Immature Trumpeter Swan Grooming
Feather Pillow
In Flight Black and White
Feathers
Swan and Wake
Dynamic Duo
Flyby
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Cygnets
Posted on June 4, 2015
Cygnet is the name given to baby swans. A mutual friend of Pat and I tipped us off to the location of some cygnets. After a short search, we found the family barely 20 feet from the edge of a rather busy road. Risking life and limb, Pat and I crossed the road and edged our way to the reeds surrounding the small lake. We were able to get some good shots as the proud parents watched us with a wary eye.
Mom and cygnets as seen from the road.
Family Portrait
Quints
Mom and Quints
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#8 Mistakes Happen
Posted on November 24, 2014
The adage about rules being made to be broken can sometimes apply to photography. I was taking pictures of swasn at a bird sanctuary; especially swans in flight. While panning a swan in flight with my camera, it went behind a tree and came out the other side. Even though the swan was moving toward a direct shot into the sun – one of those no nos -, I kept shooting and ended up with a rather ethereal picture. Some might delete this “bad technique ” shot, but I rather like the way the image accentuates the delicate grace of swans. As always, I am interested in your thoughts and comments.
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Black Swan and Fall Sun
Posted on October 13, 2014
The Australian Black Swan was once found only around Australia. Importation and some resultant escapes have made the black swan present in very small numbers in Europe and North America as well as Asia. I have included two shots of the swan and one additional image, The additional image was from my panning of the flight of two swans and catching a bit of sun. Some would immediately delete such images, but I rather enjoy the slight abstraction and hope you do as well.
On Land
In the Water
Fall Sun
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Heaven’s Trumpeters
Posted on October 10, 2014
The serenely majestic Trumpeter Swan has a beauty in sharp contrast to their very loud honk. Thirty to forty of these rare swans can be found at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary along with ducks, geese, and other swans. I went out this morning in rather brisk weather (it was 33 degrees when I got up). Although cool, it was a beautiful and sunny Fall day. Here are some trumpeter swan images. Next week I’ll share some Black Swan images.
Ascending
Running Start
Preening
Above the Pines
Wings
Into the Sun
Mirror Image
Black and White
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Swan Lake
Posted on October 1, 2014
No, the photos are not of a ballet. They are swan shots taken at a lake. The enchanting beauty of swans begged me to keep shooting. I did and was able to catch some rather unusual swan moments. Enjoy the “ballet”.
The Fly-in
Out of the Shadows
Morning Stretch
Calming Down
Encore! Encore!
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Election Day
Posted on November 5, 2013
The images are not about election day. The title is just a reminder to vote if you happen to be in an area with elections today.
I have no thematic unity to these pictures (other than the photos being from the last week), just the images and your thoughts. The first two images are from a photo shoot at a bridge over a small lake. The water lilies and reflected cloud captured my eye as did the swans from the following picture as they whizzed through the air like leftover Halloween ghosts.
Water Lilies
Swans in Flight
The leaves on the trees are well past their autumnal prime. Some trees are bare, some have turned brown, and some, like this tree, have just a few lingering leaves. The sparkling sun highlighted these leaves for me.
Last Leaves to Leave
The last image is a picture of a picture hanging in our house near some similarly colored orchids.
Bee and Orchid
It’s election day. Feel free to cast your vote for your favorite image,
