Tundra Swans on the ice
This morning I checked Goose Pond and Schoneberg Marsh for swans and geese. The temperature is back below freezing so I wondered what I would find...frozen-to-the-water birds? When I got there, I saw that there was still some open water at Goose Pond, but a few of the Tundra Swans were walking around on the ice...or shall I say ice-skating?
Most of the time they either preened or slept, so I decided to head over to Schoneberg Marsh. The birds there were too far out on the water to photograph, but present were Snow Geese, Ross's Geese, Cackling Geese, Greater White-fronted Geese and Canada Geese.
It was fun listening to the different species vocalizations, and I especially like the higher-pitched call of the white-fronted. I quietly observed the geese through my scope for about an hour before heading home - a very relaxing way to start the day.
All images © 2006 Mike McDowell
posted by Mike McDowell @ 2:30 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Love the ice-skating swan photo!
fun images :)
and I'm glad it wasn't a 'stuck to the ice swan'.. there was a recent uproar over that subject on a Michigan list-serv. Two mute swans were entrapped in ice for two days- I never heard how it ended because I was so blankety blank mad I signed off the list.
When are people going to realize that invasives are here to STAY whether or not we like it. To watch something suffer because it is a non-native does not a birder nor a human being with a heart make. I cannot wrap my mind around turning away from any animal that is injured if there is something I can do to help. Now had that been a Trumpeter Swan (not so rare here) the posts would have read 'someone get out there to help that poor bird'.
Maybe, when I feel better, I'll draw up a meme for 'birders'.. and ask some questions that may be hard for most to answer HONESTLY. (key word here)
(I must be feeling better, I'm getting ornery) ;)
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