Trumpeter Swans

The wild swans
when they see me approach
paddle away.

In the Rain

Trumpeter Swans resting on the ice

Riverside Park

We purposely came to this spot near the river yesterday to see if there was any open water yet.  Hundreds of Trumpeter Swans and dozens of Canada Geese were congregating on either side of a long, narrow channel.

 It's like this every year. We can depend on it.

Nechako River

several channels have opened up

Arrival of Spring and Spring Migration

Trumpeter Swans at Sinkut River

The Trumpeter Swans and Canada Geese have been here for several days now.  It is always exciting to see them at this time of the year and to know that, even though it doesn't seem like it yet, spring is well on its way.

Today, there are some snowflakes swirling outside my window in a mostly overcast sky.  However, the sun is trying to shine through, and it remains fairly mild.
    

Trumpeter Swan

Adult Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)

Spring Migration

It is our good fortune, in this region of the province, to be able to view these magnificent creatures during a brief stopover in their journey to their northerly summer range.  It happens like clockwork every year, and we look forward to this event even as children do to Christmas.

Trumpeter Swans

Trumpeter Swan

The swans are still with us. We thought they had left, but this morning we saw them flying over the water.

Trumpeter Swans

return to our lakes and streams in their yearly fall migration.  A pause to rest and feed before resuming their journey southward. 

Sinkut Lake

A Chance Encounter With An Immature Trumpeter Swan

I had been down at the lake one day taking photos of the swans and geese. Most of the time, they keep well away from the bridge and are instantly alert to any human activity. To get as near as I can, I usually have to resort to using the zoom feature on my camera to the max. Well, on this day, after photographing the birds in the water and on the ice, I turned my attention to the other side of the bridge, hoping for a rare glimpse of an otter or beaver. I looked directly down and was quite startled to see an immature Trumpeter Swan feeding in the shallows below.

As the swan raised her (?) head out of the water, I stood back a bit not wanting to frighten the poor bird half to death.

The swan quickly realized the potential danger she was in and began paddling away.

Paddle, paddle, paddle.

She gave a couple of quiet honks and continued down the river channel.

Unusual Sightings

On our drive today we saw hawks skimming the fields. I am not sure what kind of hawk this is. Could it be a Rough-legged Hawk?

It was amazing to watch these hawks hovering.

Trumpeter Swans and ducks in a saturated field at a highway intersection.

Mallards on heaps in another field. There was a watery area below.

White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

Usually the only species of deer I see are Mule Deer, so this was a complete surprise.

Sunshine and Blue Sky

Yesterday, while we were in town, we visited the park by the river (Nechako River) to check if there was any open water yet. The spring thaw is well under way.

A small pond has formed on the other side of the river, bordered by the ice and the opposite shore.

Another zoomed in photo of the same pond, swans feeding, geese resting.

I almost missed these two trumpeter swans.

Sky Watch - Heralding Spring

I took this series of photos just north of town where farms and fields stretch in all directions. High above me were the Trumpeter Swans. This is the annual spring migration, and these amazing birds have already travelled far, en route to Alaska and their summer nesting areas. They will grace our skies for a mere few weeks before instinct tells them that it is time to leave.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

 
Sky Watch Friday

Trumpeter Swans on Interior Lake

The Trumpeter Swans arrived about three weeks ago. They are part of the Pacific Coast population, and every year they spend several weeks in the interior of B.C. resting and feeding before they fly to their northern summer breeding grounds. It is an exciting time of the year in which we have an opportunity to observe and enjoy these beautiful birds.

As soon as they come out of the water, they shake themselves and begin preening.

Sometimes their head and neck feathers are stained, "a result of feeding in areas rich in iron salts" Hinterland Who's Who.

The photo in my previous post shows the lake and the swans and geese on the ice.

To view or join

My World - British Columbia, Canada

My World Tuesday (Mondays, 8 pm GMT) is a wonderful new meme created by Klaus in Florida and hosted by Klaus, Tom, Sandy, Imac, Ivar, Wren and Fishing Guy. Thank you for all your efforts in helping to bring the world closer together.

Both my husband and I grew up and lived in large cities, but about thirty-two years ago we had an opportunity to move to a rural area in the interior of B.C. At first we lived conveniently in the town, but eventually we purchased a small property in the country 15km (9 miles) away, cleared some land, built our house and raised two children. The children have grown up, we have become grandparents, and we still live quite happily here with one friendly dog.

Today I thought I would take you to the access road for the public boat launch and show you the view of the lake. It's not far from us, just down the road a piece. The days are much cooler now, and we are beginning to use the fireplace again to make it cozier in the house. On this particular morning, it is about 7C (44.6F), somewhat cloudy and very quiet on the lake.

It's nice to see the Trumpeter Swans again. The last time I saw them was in the spring when they were on their way north. Unfortunately, these swans are way off in the distance today, and all we see of them are their white shapes.

Although it's not a very big lake, it supports two or more Bald Eagles, year round, as well as Osprey and several other bird species which are here during the summer.

You can just see the roof and chimney of our house at the top of the hill. (you may have to click on the image to see it)

Oh look! Over there near the opposite shore are two more swans feeding in the shallow water.

The beavers have been hard at work along the access road recently.

I would love to see them hauling away the timber they cut.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing the lake, and I look forward to stopping by your place very soon.

Companions

During the spring migration period
we like to drive to the bridge, park and see what birds are there.
First the Trumpeter Swans arrived on March 10th,
then the Canada Geese,
and now the ducks have come back.

(please click on pictures to enlarge)
A pair of Trumpeter Swans near the river bank,

together with the Mallards.

There must be plenty of vegetation in this spot,

the swans are totally absorbed with eating.

The feeding swans seem quite content.

Tipped over to get at the aquatic plants,
the male Mallard on the skim of ice at the shoreline,

looking on.

A sense of Peace and Completeness.

When we got back from our walk to get the mail,

about half an hour later, and drove across the bridge,
the two swans were still feeding.

In Celebration of

the coming of Spring.

These are my first sightings of the Trumpeter Swans. They will spend a few weeks here before they migrate further north to their breeding ranges. The swans come back every year at about the same time, to this very spot, a small river system that widens into a small lake near my home. This morning I tried to be as quiet as possible so that I could get close to them, but they soon detected me and started moving away.


Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator)
their graceful necks reflected in the water.

paddling webbed feet creating ripples on the surface

Both female and male have identical plumage, but one and two year olds can retain some of their juvenile gray-brown plumage on their heads and necks.

nine swans feeding