Swans

Swan Migration

Trumpeter swans are a nice site in late fall as they migrate south for the winter

The temperature inversions during the early winter months create a fog which gives these swans limited visibility.Honking is more prevalent during these days as their vision is of little help navigating along the edges of Kenai Lake

Swan Serenity

Trumpeter swans are by far the most personable waterfowl. They prefer staying away from large crowds and feed calmly along the edges of lakes and streams eating the vegetation submerged just below them

Swan Stand Off

I have seen this often actually. For one reason or another, a group of Trumpeter swans will remove another Trumpeter swan from its flock , group ect ..The Swan that has been isolated is not allowed within a certain distance from the others and of it does come within a certain distance, what is pictured happens . Personally I believe the Isolated swan has done something the others don’t approve of . Sometimes I’ve seen one swan isolated overnight and the following morning, the group will look for it and gather it back into their group before leaving the immediate area . Bad behavior or possibly behavior unacceptable to the others for one reason or another. The family type of atmosphere is evident and they seem to keep other in line by this practice

Winter Kenai Lake

Four adult Trumpeter swans feed along the edges of Kenai Lake during the winter of 2019

Kenai Lake

It was a nice day to watch Trumpeter swans mill around and feed . This pair of mature Swans have a Cygnet ( young swan) who’s color, not so much it’s size indicate its relationship to the adults. Out of the seven swans I’ve seen today , this is the only pair that still have its young with it . Round mountain is on the background, a great landmark in Cooper Landing

A Spring Flight

These Trumpeter Swans have spent the winter in Alaska .This picture was taken in March near their winter habitat. During March the sun sets later and the conditions are perfect for photographing . By mid April the Trumpeter swans that did not spend the winter will now be showing up in large numbers and they usually head further north to nest . They prefer the long summer nights for rearing Their young further North These particular two will raise their young locally and next fall the young will head south . I have seen Signets (immature swans)during the winter , but not in numbers in good numbers. . Most our wintering Trumpeter swans will be all white and almost always paired up . The largest flying waterfowl in North America make the best subjects to study and photograph .

Trumpeter Twisted

This twisted neck may seem unusual to most people who only watch Trumpeter swans occasionally, but they are often seen moving these long flexible necks in these positions quite frequently