Last week I started a story about a recent photo session with some swans on the Feeder Road off Route 77. I encountered a flock of 17 swans from another marsh that had joined the two local families of trumpeter swans. They were tundra swans, which usually only pass through the area in the spring. This group hung around for about four days, giving me some great photographing opportunities, and the chance to observe the different species’ interaction with one another.
I spent two to three hours every morning for most of the week trying for good flight and activity shots. As with all nature photography you have to take what is given and that includes the weather conditions. Of course bright sunlight is the best condition for flight shots as you need a fast shutter speed to freeze those wings, but wind direction and speed also play a big part. The other factor is having patience to wait for the birds to cooperate.
My arrival to this area was always timed so that I could “capture” a nice sunrise and be there if and when the birds arrived. The swans usually showed up shortly after sunrise but sometimes not until later. I wanted every opportunity to catch them coming in and landing, so I often remained there until every bird had given me a chance to capture their arrival to the marsh. Most days the tundra swans stayed on this marsh overnight but the trumpeters always slept on another marsh, giving me a chance to photograph their incoming and outgoing flights.
Some mornings were great with good lighting and cooperative birds but other mornings the cloud cover made for less than great shots. Good shots can be made on those overcast days but shutter speed has to be sacrificed and may cause less than sharp images. On bright days the wind may not be in the photographer’s favor as it affects the angle at which the birds come in, thus the lighting on the birds can be either super or less than flattering.
But there were those days when everything went right and it was exciting to a nature photographer like me. The one morning that stands out to me was when there was good light, the wind was just right and the birds outdid themselves. The K93 family of trumpeters arrived a bit late, which was OK as the sun was in a good position by then, but the great thing was they alerted me early with their distant trumpet-like calling. I was on them while they were way out, ready to hit the “trigger” when things looked good. They swung out by me as I shot away, and then they passed only to bank and head back, coming low and straight at me, so low and fast right over my vehicle that I could only watch through the front windshield. What a sight to behold! It looked like I could reach right out and touch them; magnificent huge white birds giving their famous trumpet calls as they glared down at me! They passed and then banked again a little farther out to make their final approach for landing, which was perfect for the guy sitting in his vehicle.
As I swung the camera with their approach, the shutter was constantly clicking as I tried to catch those huge wings in flattering positions. The swans finally hit the water and their splashing down was photo-worthy too. After they landed they joined in a tight circle and started flapping their wings, reaching for the sky with their long necks and their heads pointed skyward, talking up a storm. I suppose this is their way of telling each other they did a fine job of providing Doug with some great flight shots?!
I got a ton of great shots over a 10-day period, even on a day when they caught me off-guard while approaching. The following day I stayed longer and made up for it as the swans decided to leave about a half-hour later than normal. When these super flight opportunities come to me, I find myself taking a deep breath when they end, as it is usually then that I realize I was holding my breath the whole time. The chance to view these huge white birds flying close by actually does take your breath away!