Update on Holla Bend swans

I noticed some discussion about the Holla Bend swans in another post so thought I'd share this info. The swans are in the area but not necessarily on the reserve. The above picture was taken on Nov. 7th. I spotted them on a private pond just west of highway 155 about 1/4 mile north of the intersection with highway 154. Please, no comments about the quality of the photo. There was no place here to pull off the highway to take a picture so this is shot holding my lens out of the car window while driving down the highway shooting blind. It's just for documentation's sake rather than for aesthetics!

At least the swans are in the area. There were eight of the original 13 on the pond the day I saw them (you can see their green neck bands on the three on the left) and I have no idea whether they had flown back in or had been resident in the area for the entire year but at least they are still in the area. Hopefully they will spend at least some time back on the reserve where they will be better protected. The particular pond they were located on when I shot this pic has a permanent duck blind out in the center of it so it could prove to be a poor choice or their part for any long term residence.

Have a great day to all!
Dave Hatfield

David, The foreground on this one is a little distracting, and I'd like to see the swans looking more in the direction of the camera. Also, I think I see a hint on motion blur.

David, don't pay any attention to Dominic. From what I've seen, this is one of your better photos.

Just kidding, it is remarkable what you did considering the position you were in.

I am off tomorrow to the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary opposite Alton, IL, on the Missouri side. The Corps manages the 1,000+ acres of wetlands and open lands near their Lock & Dam. There are reported to be 200+ trumpeter swans there now and more will show up in the next month or so. I was there last week and their open water landing glide is a site to see. I think it is twice as long as a Canada goose. A morning lift off should be very impressive!

Best,
Don

O.K. Don ----Now we await the results of your shots from tomorrow. It may be a tough challenge - but they must look better than David's shots.

Nice documentation of the location and situation David.

Thanks for the picture and report. I've shot the swans several times at Boxley Pond. Not much fun with the neck bands but I guess it's for their own good.

I am planning on going to Holla Bend this weekend. Any general report? Any huge flocks of snow geese? Hawks/eagles/owls?

Mike, you may want to call the refuge to see what is going on with the birds. Just Google Holla Bend NWR.

Don

Thanks for posting Dave. I understand things are starting to pop at HB and this photo confirms the birds are in the area.

Well from the looks of this I guess we can expect more avain shots in the near future. Thanks for sharing this update Dave.