Swans

365 Week

Ludington State Park June

Later tonight my dad and I have to present a slide show at the West Michigan Birding Festival, so I got up early this morning and set out to make at least one more good image of birds. I headed to Lincoln Lake to see what I could find. After many failed attempts, I finally got one photograph that was sharp and well composed. F9.0 at 1/2000, ISO 800, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

Like clockwork, it is the end of May and I find a mute swan at its usual nest site with her newborn cygnets near Long Bridge on Pentwater Lake. I shoot quickly so I don't scare them. F3.2 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 120 mm

A male mute swan stands and spreads its wings after preening its feathers on a small bayou on Lost Lake at Ludington State Park. This is the moment I waited patiently for in our photography skiff at a respectful distance. It came after what seemed like an eternity of preening feathers. The backlighting of the bird and dark shaded background made the result worthwhile! I am so glad Brad and I chose to wait. F7.1 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

A tired cygnet decides it needs a break from swimming on its own, using itsremaining energy to climb on its mother's back for a ride. The swan family was cruising across Lost Lake at Ludington State Park when they passed by our tiny anchored photo-shooting skiff. F11 at 1/500, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

You do not want to mess with a swan that has a nest or babies nearby. I have seen many unsuspecting spectators get too close to a swan and pay a hefty price. This swan slowly circled our boat and it was his friendly way of letting us know that we had gotten close enough to his family. We always try to keep a respectful distance from wildlife so as not to disrupt their lives. F5.6 at 1/5000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 135mm

The Ludington Municipal Marina has recently expanded its capacity by converting its north edge into a day dock and seawall. One of the many benefits of the recent expansion is that the new wall has allowed the marina to better accommodate large boats. This week, the 80-foot Burger named Chateau Thierry was trying out the new dock. F8.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 27 mm

I am impressed by the affection a pair of mute swans display for each other while basking in the sunshine on Pere Marquette Lake with their offspring. It is clear to me they are mates for life. F4.5 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 145 mm

I headed to Copeyon Park on Pere Marquette Lake this morning to photograph the fog and mist. As I was composing a photograph that showed the west side of Pere Marquette Lake with fall color, a swan swam out of the fog and into the sunlight. The photograph of the fall color will have to wait. F5.6 at 1/250, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

My step-grandpa was the late Dwight "Scotty" Scott. He was married to my mom's mom, Linda Scott. Together they ran Wren's Roost on the Middle Bayou of Hamlin Lake. After Wren's burned down, they opened Scotty's Restaurant in Ludington. I shot this photo near where Wren's Roost stood. F5.6 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

A pair of mute swans keeps its lone surviving cygnet close at hand as they float along the shoreline of Pere Marquette Lake just after sunrise. Mute swans have proliferated in Michigan to the point that efforts are being made to reduce their population. I, for one, never tire of seeing the graceful birds and watching for peak or unique views of them. F2.8 at 1/2000, ISO 1600, 80-200mm lens at 145mm

This large mute swan swam into the only area of the Goldsworth Valley Pond being hit by sunlight and proceeded to groom and bathe himself for several minutes. He banged his powerful wings onto the surface of the water creating a huge mist the air and then quickly swam into the cloud of water. F4 at 1/2500, ISO 800, 600mm lens at 600mm

Looking regal as he rushes through the water, a swan graces a pond at Western Michigan University. The mute swan and its mate looked splendid to me but plenty intimidating to the ducks and geese attempting to swim toward their side of the pond. F11 at 1/500, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm