Tundra Swans number over a hundred thousand, making them the largest swan population in North America. Yesterday some of them arrived at the refuge from arctic tundra regions, then faced a strong wind as they landed in one of the pools inhabited by Mute Swans. They were a good distance from me, so they appear small in the following shots. In fact, they are only slightly smaller than Mute Swans, and have a black bill compared to the orange bill of Mute Swans.
A family of Tundra Swans with the two young ones on the right and the parents on the left.
Tundra Swans landing among Mute Swans and other Tundra Swans. The swan in the water to the right of the photo with an orange bill is a Mute Swan.
Tundra Swans landing and displacing another Tundra Swan.
Tundra Swans landing.
Tundra Swans after landing.
Do you travel around a lot to get this variety of birds to photograph? I would not expect there to be such a variety of birds in one state! 😄 I really love seeing your work! Keep it up
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New Jersey is on the migratory path (Artic to South America) for many birds, so I don’t have to travel a lot to photograph them. Thank you for visiting and commenting.
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Ahhhhh yes ok I didn’t think about that. You’re welcome! 😄
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Love the ‘landing gear’ images 🙂
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Just like airplanes, Tiny!
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Beautiful! The first photograph is great! They’re beginning to arrive here, too, and what a beautiful call they have.
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Now that you mention it, I remember hearing many sounds coming from where the swans landed. It lasted quite some time, with the Mute Swans not participating of course. 🙂
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Beautiful! I love swans!
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Thank you Jessica!
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The swan photos are very good, thanks for sharing
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Thank you Jim!
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The swans may have been far away, but that gave us a better view of the interaction between the various groups. I haven’t seen or heard a tundra swan yet this fall, I’ll have to search harder when I get the chance.
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These Tundra Swans are more numerous in New Jersey this year. Maybe you’ll see them too, soon.
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Very cool – loved the family shot. Mom and Dad showing the kids how to migrate. 🙂 Their feet seem so big– great paddles!
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Thank you Eliza!
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They are all such gorgeous shots. This made my morning 🙂
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Thank you very much, Takami!
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I love your photos, Hien. I told those swans if they wanted a good portrait, they should fly to your area. Ha. ( Believe it or not, this morning my husband and I were discussing if we need a 600 mm… ha.)
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Thanks Helen. If you can afford it, go for a 600 mm lens. I took the above photos with an old 400 mm lens.
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My main concern is how often I would use it. I am not convinced I am a bird/insect/animal photographer. Not yet, anyway. If it’s not for those swans, I probably wouldn’t think about 600 mm… They won my heart for sure.
(I enjoy seeing your bird photos.)
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