Photo of the Day! Trumpeter Swan!

Nikon D90, Nikkor 300mm f/2.8, TC-14E II @ 420mm, ISO 400, f/6.3, 1/1600

At the break of dawn this trumpeter swan heads out to forage. The Swans, as well as many other species, are in the midst of migration. This means we can enjoy the resident birds as well as the passerby's through spring.

Photo of the Day! Running on Water

Nikon D90, Nikkor 300mm f2.8 w/TC14 @420mm, ISO 500, f4, 1/1600

I was at my favorite swan spot again yesterday and surprisingly it was about zero for the temp! That doesn't happen that often. Since it was a little warmer than normal there wasn't as much steam coming off the water. I was working on getting "Running on Water" shot. After a couple of hours, I ended up with this one! I hope you enjoy!

Photo of the Day! Triple Swans

Nikon D90, Sigma 150-500mm OS, f8, ISO 400, 1/500

This is one of my favorite photos from 2010 that didn't make my 2010 top ten list.

Photo of the Day! Trumpeter Swan at -5° F

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f/4 AFS + TC14E II, @ 700mm, ISO 640, f/8, 1/4000

This is a Trumpeter Swan that was kind enough to stop by our local duck pond this morning. I was actually trying to get a photo of a somewhat cooperative Bufflehead. This guy ended up being even more cooperative. This pond has a constant flow of water which keeps the water open even in the severe cold. The biggest problem with shooting in this weather is dealing with the steam coming off the water. Sometimes it can be a very cool effect, but sometimes it's a hindrance. Trying to get a shot of the smaller and more distance Bufflehead, the steam was a hindrance, but with the larger and closer Trumpeter Swan, I was more successful!

Photo of the Day: Wings of an Angel

Nikon D90, 500mm, ISO 500, f7.1, 1/2000, EV+1/3

Another season that is fast approaching us is the Trumpeter Swan season. Not far from my house, along the Minnesota River, the water doesn't freeze over because of a nearby power plant. A large concentration of Trumpeter Swans hang out every winter. This photo was taken last January. It was somewhere around 5 degrees below zero.

Flying Through the Fog

I spent yet another cold morning taking pictures. Today I headed to Monticello again to shoot the Trumpeter Swans. When I woke up it was cloudy and slightly snowing out so I thought about staying home. A few minutes later I looked out the window and could see light pastel colors on the snow and trees. I quickly grabbed my gear and ran out the door.

When I first arrived the lighting was a bit difficult due to heavy fog. Not only was there fog, but the swans weren't coming as close as they did last week when Chad and I were there. I found a good spot along the river and waited and waited, then finally a couple of swans appeared through the fog. I was able to get a few shots, but the autofocus and metering systems were a bit confused trying to locate a subject.

In total I was shooting for 2 hours, and took 300 pictures. I still have to go through most of them. Once I do, I will share them with all of you. Enjoy!

More Swans

Since Chad and I went to Monticello last week I haven't had much of a chance to photograph anything. So I went back and looked at what I came home with from that trip. Originally, I didn't think much of this image, but now I think it's the best one I came home with.