Fall Tundra Swans

Two tundra swans set their wings to land

Every fall tundra swans stop over on the Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior during their fall migration.



 One swan bites another after landing nearby.

More than one hundred swans were on the bay during 

Thanksgiving this year. The birds stop to rest and feed

on aquatic plants in the shallow water along the shoreline.



A swan runs on the water until it gains enough speed to take flight.



 I really enjoyed watching and photographing the swans with one of my sons. The birds are beautiful and were fun to listen to as they they fed and interacted with each other.



A swan flaps its wings as others rest on the ice nearby.

The swans stay only until the ice forms far enough out from the shore that they can no longer reach the plants they feed on.



A swan landing near another tundra swan.



Swans set their wings just before landing on the lake.




Once the ice gets too far out in the lake the swans take flight and continue their migration south. Consider yourself lucky if you happen to be near the Chequamegon Bay when the tundra swans show up in the fall, and have a great time watching these beautiful birds.

A colorful perch

Driving in northern Wisconsin on a beautiful September day I saw this hawk alight on a branch. In the past I haven't had the best luck photographing hawks from the road in Wisconsin. Most of the time they fly off before I get any good photos, but I keep trying. So I turned around, got the camera ready, pulled to the side of the road, turned the car off, and took this photo.

This particular juvenile red-tailed hawk didn't seem to mind me at all. It attentively watched the ground below its perch as I photographed it from my car. It was so comfortable that I was able to change to a larger lens and make the photos above and below.

I really like the look of the changing maple leaves behind the hawk. If I learned anything here it's no matter how many times I have tried something and failed, it's important to keep trying. On any given day for no reason at all things may work out.

Just for fun

I have made thousands of photos of common loons over the years and this is my favorite.

The red eye and the striking combination of white and black, along with the almost surreal quality of the green water make this one of my favorite wildlife photos.

The reflection of green coniferous trees along the shoreline gives the water its beautiful green color. The loon's own striking coloration and patterns do the rest.

I would like to thank Ben and Margaret for inviting me to their place on a northern Wisconsin lake and Ben for his good nature and patience during the early mornings we spent on his boat. This image wouldn't exist if it weren't for their generosity and kindness.