Spring Renewal

"There is no time like Spring,
When life's alive in everything."

~ from "Spring" by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

Bald Eagle at Sinkut River

Reflections

(please click on image for a better view of the detail)

This picture of the river channel was taken last week, and as you can see, there is already some ice formed at the edges.

Watery Wednesday

Reflections

Wordless (Thursday version)

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