Morning Wing Stretches

 

Dawn broke over a busy Bear River MBR. In the Tundra swan community, some still dozed, others were already foraging, while a few welcomed the morning with slow, elegant wing stretches.

Generally, life is good.

A Simple Gesture

 

Nothing dramatic occurred, yet everything felt significant. Two Tundra Swans stood close; one arched its back, slowly unfurling its wings. It was a simple gesture, but utterly mesmerizing.

Generally, life is good.

Winter Gathering

Tundra swans have already arrived at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

Breeding in western Alaska, they stop in northern Utah each year to rest and refuel before continuing their long journey home. We are fortunate to witness their beauty, even if only for a short time.

Generally, life is good.

 

What Do Tundra Swans Eat ?

 

The desire to learn as much as possible about the Tundra swans, observing them and, of course, searching for information, suddenly turned into a small project.

*** 

During their migration, Tundra swans passing through the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge will feed on a variety of food sources, mostly plant-based. Swans don't typically hunt for fish like some birds such as ospreys or kingfishers.   

Our bird refuge is an important and ideal place for swans to rest and refuel during their long journey to Alaska. 

Tundra Swans forage by tipping their bodies forward in the water, using their long necks to reach underwater vegetation.

Tundra Swans and American Coots often are feeding together. It’s possible that Coots just like the company of larger birds like the swans, either for protection or simply because they tend to be more comfortable in groups.

Generally, life is good.

Independance

 

This solitary Tundra Swan caught my attention the moment I spotted it. He stood on the bank of a frozen river, oblivious to the absence of other swans around it.

Interestingly, some Tundra Swans can lead a more solitary life style, especially during winter when they’re do not from pairs or when they’re in large bodies of water. 

Generally, life is good.

How Tundra Swans Communicate

Tundra Swans are interesting birds.  They communicate using a variety of vocalizations, from soft honks to loud trumpeting calls, especially while flying or when frightened.  These calls help maintain contact within the flock or between a pairs. 

In addition to vocalizations, body language—such as head bobbing or wing spreading is also important in their interactions.

When Tundra Swans spread their wings, it's usually a form of body language communication.  By doing this they demonstrate the size and strength of their wings and establish dominance.

Spreading the wings may also be a signal to other swans to stay alert or be ready to move to another location. 

Generally, life is good.

Today on the Bear River MBR

 

This morning the temperature was 14 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 10 degrees Celsius) and the idea to drive to the Bear River MBR seemed crazy.

I am glad that, despite my doubts and fears for my camera, which is not used to working in the severe frost, I plucked up my courage and, despite cold went to the bird refuge to see Tundra Swans.

Generally, life is good.

Tundra Swans Are Already on Bear River MBR

 

Winter in full swing in the Bear River MBR and Tundra Swans already in the bird refuge. Usually, I see swans in February and was surprised to see them earlier this year.

Tundra Swans are breeding in Western Alaska but each year they fly to Northern Utah to rest, refuel and stay for a few weeks before returning to their breeding grounds in Western Alaska.  

We are so lucky to have these beautiful birds even for a short time.

Generally, life is good.

Tundra Swans During Autumn Migration

 

The autumn migration of Tundra swans is now in full swing.  There are already thousands and thousands of them in Northern Utah. These majestic birds will soon head to Northern California for the winter.

This evening I was lucky enough to watch Tundra swans until they are gone.  My only regret was that these birds were so far away and I didn't have binoculars with me.

Well, I will wait patiently until February arrives and the Tundra swans will return to the Bear River Migratory Bird refuge, where they will remain for a few weeks during their long migration back to their breeding grounds in Alaska.

 Migration Map of Tundra Swans

Tundra swans who are breeding in Western Alaska

every year migrate to Northern California for winter.

In February they move to Northern Utah and stay there for a few weeks

and then return to their breeding grounds to Western Alaska.

Generally, life is good.

Tundra Swans in March - II.

 

The longer you observe Tundra Swans the more you become fascinated by these big birds.  The Swans in the photo above landed with full swing towards the group, causing a lot of splashes. 

The second Swan on the right in this photo is ready to leave its group and start running on the open runway to take off.

Sometimes gulls join the Swans sharing peacefully one space. 

Life goes on.

Flying Tundra Swans

 

This winter, with its endless rain and snow I began to believe that I would never see Tundra Swans on the Bear River MBR this year.  

Nature last week had mercy and gave us four sunny days, drying dirt roads quiet well and yesterday I was able to get to the refuge.

The opportunity to see Tundra Swans again gave me not only a joy but also a feeling that there is some certainty in this life.  

Yesterday evening the weather wasn't very cooperative.  There was little light because the sky was overcast and at times there was light rain, and later strong wind started.  

I photographed Swans knowing that quality of the photos would suffer but it didn't matter much.

Life goes on.

A Lone Tundra Swan

All Tundra Swans already left Bear River MBR but this Swan for some unknown reason is still in the refuge.  I don't know what happened. At first I thought that the Swan couldn't fly but watched in amazement how it took off and made a short flight.

The bird can be sick or injured and my only hope that the Swan would make it through the summer.

Generally, life is good!

Notes to Self. On the Move

 Tundra Swans at Bear River MBR.

If I have ever planned to cross my country I would probably tried to figure out where and when to stop for fuel, food, and sleep.  It's the same with Tundra Swans who spend most of the year traveling to their summer home and then return back to their winter home. 

Yes, they have two homes. The summers they spend in Alaska, they breed there.  The winters they spend in different places and one of them is the Bear River MBR in Northern Utah.   

Our wildlife refuge is a Tundra Swans' winter home,  a stopover, that offers abundance of food, safety from danger and plenty of room.

Tundra is a summer home for Tundra Swans. 

photo from Internet

 "Tundra may be the most gloriously comfortable mattress in the world", ~ Scott Weidensaul, from a book A World  on the Wing.

Generally, life is good!

Tundra Swans Left Bear River MBR

I took these photos two weeks ago when Tundra Swans were still at Bear River MBR.  Today I saw only one Tundra Swan in the refuge. I don't know what happened to this Swan but I suspect there were a few more Swans that didn't migrate yet.

 

Swans left Bear River MBR. They are probably already in Alaska and preparing for a breading season.  I will miss them!

Generally, life is good!

The Intense Storm is Approaching at Bear River MBR

Driving in the rain to Bear River MBR was pretty insane but I told myself that if rain would become heavy I any time could turn back. 

To my surprise, arriving to Bear River MBR rain stopped and the sun picked out from behind the heavy thunderclouds.  Not knowing how much time I had before the storm would strike the refuge in a full force I began to photograph without waisting precious time.

That wasn't a good idea because mindless photography never ends well.  I had to slow down, to calm myself, to "forget" about fear and start to think.

I have never seen the refuge so beautifully threatening.

  

Being at the deserted Bear River MBR when the intense storm was approaching  didn't scare me in opposite made me think.  Maybe it's frivolity.  Or just an irresistible desire to capture moments that happen only once in a lifetime. Or to be more precise, it's just an addiction mixed with passion.

Generally, life is good!

Tundra Swans at Bear River MBR

 

In a few weeks Tundra Swans will leave Bear River MBR and head north to mate, breed and raise their young ones. Meanwhile, I enjoy watching them and try not to think about their departure. 

Generally, life is good!

Tundra Swan is Taking Off. Step by Step

 

Tundra Swans are big birds and before they take off they need a long, open "runway". Thus, a Swan on the photo above unexpectedly decided to leave this place and ready to start its run on the water.

To start a run on the open water is more difficult than on the ground but the Swans have a few good techniques that help them to start their run.

Just a little more and the Swan will start its run. 

The Swan is running with its wings flapping fast, it's almost ready to take off, its feet are hardly touching the water.  Soon the Swan will tuck its feet under its tail and start to fly.

At the beginning the Swan's flight will be low.

In a few seconds the Swan will be high in the sky.

Generally, life is good!

Social Life of Tundra Swans

 

When you watch Swans for quiet a while, you begin to notice how busy their social life is and sometimes a little bit funny from my point of view.

Generally, life is good!