Bill Dark called in this morning to say that the two surviving trumpeter swans returned to the Mill Pond in Boxley this AM (they were not there yesterday evening when I came through). Not sure how long they will stay but I hope they will settle in for the winter. And there was another report that the landowner saw "raccoons" feeding on the body of the big male swan, which is why he must have thought the coons killed it. I'm with Don that it was more likely a bobcat or even a passing redneck with a rifle that got the big swan.
I drove down this afternoon and found Bill still there right next to his tripod and took a few snapshots as the opposite hillside began to glow in the late evening light. Just as we were about to leave the near-full moon rose behind the pond - it was quite an impressive sight, although we were not able to get a shot of the moon and pond and golden light and the swans all at once - some scenes are best left inside your mind as just a fond memory.
Hey Bill - see what ya miss when your battery goes dead! (I know Bill got some great stuff early in the day so I got to get my jabs in before he posts.)
Gez - what a gorgeous photograph Tim! It's really amazing what a camera with charged batteries can do with a bunch of zeros and ones As Tim can attest, my "charged" backup battery only lasted about 15 minutes - even though it showed a full charge when I put it in the camera. Anyway, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it! So this afternoon will have to be just a fond memory for me indeed, but there's always tomorrow.
It was really pretty comical out there this afternoon, with a lady from Conway and her two boys watching the swans while Tim photographed them. I remember the moment this shot was taken - we were all cheering him on, saying "NOW, shoot NOW!" when the swan started to fan her wings - as if Tim needed someone to coach him about when to take a picture...
I'm not sure if Rod Kissinger from Springfield keeps up with this forum, but he was the first to see these magnificent birds return to the pond this morning. Hope you got some good shots too Rod!
Posted by BLUFFSPRING on January 3, 2007 at 7:52 AM
Great photograph Tim. It was great to see the Swans come back to your valley. I guess you were a good host last year. Too bad about the male swan if the reports are correct.
Bill, I did get a couple of shots but nothing to compare with the golden glow of Tim's.
I got some shots of the swans at Magness Lake coming in for a landing a couple of years ago and it was one special sight for sure. I've never seen the guys in Boxley out of the water so it will be great to see your flight shots!
Posted by Glenn Carter on January 4, 2007 at 10:35 PM
Tim,
I like your composition. The reflection of gold light is really nice. I bet you knew that. Great shot!
I got my first shots of these a couple years ago in Boxley. No wings though. I approached them with great stealth thinking they would fly off if I was seen. Then to my surprise I saw crackers where someone had been feeding them! I guess the joke was on me. I walked out in the open and sat down with my tripod and they swam towards me. I'll post one if I can find it.
I hope folks aren't feeding them anything, especially crackers - that might give them high blood pressure with all the salt! I bet you saw them last winter not two winters ago - last winter was the first time they had been seen in Boxley that I know of.
Discussion
5 repliesI drove down this afternoon and found Bill still there right next to his tripod and took a few snapshots as the opposite hillside began to glow in the late evening light. Just as we were about to leave the near-full moon rose behind the pond - it was quite an impressive sight, although we were not able to get a shot of the moon and pond and golden light and the swans all at once - some scenes are best left inside your mind as just a fond memory.
Hey Bill - see what ya miss when your battery goes dead! (I know Bill got some great stuff early in the day so I got to get my jabs in before he posts.)
It was really pretty comical out there this afternoon, with a lady from Conway and her two boys watching the swans while Tim photographed them. I remember the moment this shot was taken - we were all cheering him on, saying "NOW, shoot NOW!" when the swan started to fan her wings - as if Tim needed someone to coach him about when to take a picture...
I'm not sure if Rod Kissinger from Springfield keeps up with this forum, but he was the first to see these magnificent birds return to the pond this morning. Hope you got some good shots too Rod!
Bill, I did get a couple of shots but nothing to compare with the golden glow of Tim's.
I'll post later.
I got some shots of the swans at Magness Lake coming in for a landing a couple of years ago and it was one special sight for sure. I've never seen the guys in Boxley out of the water so it will be great to see your flight shots!
I like your composition. The reflection of gold light is really nice. I bet you knew that. Great shot!
I got my first shots of these a couple years ago in Boxley. No wings though. I approached them with great stealth thinking they would fly off if I was seen. Then to my surprise I saw crackers where someone had been feeding them! I guess the joke was on me. I walked out in the open and sat down with my tripod and they swam towards me. I'll post one if I can find it.
I hope folks aren't feeding them anything, especially crackers - that might give them high blood pressure with all the salt! I bet you saw them last winter not two winters ago - last winter was the first time they had been seen in Boxley that I know of.