Wild Swan Beating his Wings

A beautiful shot with very nice lighting, Linda!

Very beautiful capture and perfectly timed, the size of this birds and the quality of details show the skilled control over the camera set up.

Thank you for sharing it and wishing you all of the best.

Dramatic and amazing perspective and the light is beautiful

rich image Linda... Professional.
(awsome in B&W - with levels slightly adjusted)

I think you did a great job of getting the exposure right in this one, it's so easy to overexpose on a white subject in bright sunlight. Nice dramatic pose from the swan too,  very obliging of him to spread his wings for you like that, and the cool tones are also very pleasing adding to the icy margins.

Nice work Linda!

Best Regards

Alf

Linda,

  Wow...this is beautiful with amazing lighting & perfect timing.  Thanks for sharing this beautiful image.  Take care, Patsy

swans are beautiful creatures and look invariably attractive in a photograph but the way you framed the picture showcases the bird totally owning the scene as a great figure of myth, wings outstretched in an extraordinary display of grace and power, lording over the domain and nearby siblings frozen in place and transfixed in total awe … A great moment, a wonderful click.
I took the liberty of turning your photograph into the enclosed B&W alternative. There was considerable hidden light and obscured detail crying to be brought forward. I hope you agree it serves the image. My sincere compliments Linda, this is one of a kind piece of work, and certainly one the best bird pictures ever.

Thank you all so much for commenting. We have flocks of swans, geese and ducks on the river right now. I have been going down on weekends to watch them and have taken hundreds of shots each time. The swans of course are my favorites. They embody beauty, power and grace. Unfortunatly all these beautiful birds poop quite a bit. I had to do some cloning here to remove it. I was worried that the cloning would be obvious.

Alf, I am glad you noticed the exposure on this one. I was pretty pleased with the way this last batch of images turned out because I did pay extra attention to getting the correct exposure. I didn't want any blown areas on the white feathers.

Best wishes,

Linda

Thank you! Your version really took this image up a notch. It is very dramatic. This is what I love about being here on Photo.net, people take the time to give me helpful advice on how to improve my images. I have really learned a lot from my friends here. Sometimes another pair of eyes will see something that I missed. I am always grateful when I am shown what I could do, or even just given a different perspective. Thanks again.

Best wishes,

Linda 

Magnifica toma y momento captado, con una excelente luz y tonos.

Un cordial saludo -Tolo.

Yes you are right takes a lot of time waiting for the right shot to come along to have the light right... So often I am there an the camera is not in the ready or the obstruction in front of the shot or what a have you takes time... I am tracking some black swans now soon to nest then follow after the eggs hatch so will be a few months of follow up but again what ever it takes to get the shots I want... Much like you have done over and over again... Cheers MJ

Is this wild swan the same thing as a trumpeter swan?  It looks huge!  These animals are so majestic and captivating!  I could watch them for hours!  This viewpoint showcasing the detail in its feathers is really outstanding!  And I love the lighting, which you've managed to keep in check.  I do like the B&W, but I also love the steely blue, which works nicely with a winter theme.  BTW, thanks for your comment on my strawberry image! 

Thanks for commenting. It is good to hear from you.

MJ, Black Swans are so beautiful. I saw them only once in the wild many years ago on Vancouver Island, and once in the Zoo in Calgary. Good luck with this, I’ll watch for the results.

Christal, these are wild Trumpeter Swans. They are incredible birds. I have spent hours watching them. I didn't get this all off the top of my head, I did a bit of research: They are the largest native bird in North America the largest waterfowl on earth. Males (Cobs) typically measure from 145 to 163 centimetres (57 to 64 in) and weigh 11.8 kilograms (26 lb); females range from 139 to 150 centimetres (55 to 59 in) and weigh 10 kilograms (22 lb). The average wingspan is 2.03 metres (6.7 ft). They were at one time hunted for game and feathers to the point of near extincntion. In 1933 there were only 77 breeding in Canada and 50 in the US.

 “Trumpeter Swan survival is based on a foundation of strong family bonds and crucial learned patterns of habitat use (traditions) acquired by associating with older more experienced birds, usually family members.

Trumpeters may live 20-30 years in the wild. They usually maintain very predictable annual movement and habitat use patterns unless faced with a significant habitat change. In turn, they teach these patterns to their cygnets.

Pairs usually mate for life and return each year to the same nesting wetland, often using the same nest mound. After gaining flight in September, cygnets follow their parents to their wintering area and learn its resources and hazards while they remain with their parents through their first winter.

Cygnets often remain with their broodmates through at least their first year and may regroup with their parents at the usual family wintering site in subsequent winters. These strong family bonds help cygnets continue to learn key migration routes and food resources from more experienced adults.

When Trumpeters were reduced to near extinction, the damage was much greater than simply the great decline in numbers. Crucial knowledge of traditional migration routes and winter food sources was also lost. Recreating that knowledge is one of the greatest challenges in the effort to rebuild secure populations.” From the Trumpeter Swan Society http://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/index.html

Thanks so much for the information on these amazing animals.  Many years ago I saw 2 Trumpeter Swans in Yellowstone.  Even though I was quite a long distance away, I could tell how huge they were.  I've wanted to see them again ever since.

impossible to do better- light, bg, timing. the head of the big swan is not confused at all with the white line on the bg, and this for the light. bravo!

I'm so sorry I missed this one Linda.  It is beautiful. The Swan almost appears to be 'dancing'.  Lovley deetial in the plummage on the wings, and I do like the dark background, makes it look a little more 'elegant' to me, if that is possible?  Very nice work, your patience certainly paid off.  Kind regards, GAil

I think you got the exposure just-right! The composition is about as pleasing as it gets, very elegant. Linda, I am thinking about getting a new camera, what do you think of that 7D? All of the pictures I have seen taken with it look pretty good. I am thinking about a new 7D or a used Canon 5D II, what do you think?

Linda, if you answer Jim about the 7D, I'd appreciate it if you would copy me your response.  I'm also thinking of upgrading. 

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