A phone call as I got ready for work to say 2 Bewick's Swans on my patch. Hopping to the car with bins in one hand, camera over the shoulder and a right shoe still not tied I dived in the car put the phone on speaker to receive the exact location and off I drove in a general direction of Woodford....... 5 minutes later directions received I was parked up.
Now remember I am ready for work, shoes on (now tied)... not Boots! I jump over a style, master the quick step across two very muddy fields and hey presto!
A good image for ID purposes Vs the similar Whooper Swan. Smaller rounded head shorter neck and smaller yellow beak patch
Whooper Swan for comparison (Taken at Martin Mere)
A few ramblers were heading this way, the swans got nervous and sure enough they flew
I managed all but a brilliant 5 minutes with them before they flew off probably back to Arctic Russia, but that's not a bad way to spend a few moments before going to work! even with muddy trousers and shoes.
Love the "in flight" shots! Great post...
ReplyDeleteI hope they are coming here to our lake for nesting instead Russia :)
ReplyDeleteBut not yet, the lakes have their ice covers still until May.
But nice to see that they are on their way here.
Good weekend to you!
( I want to ask, have you visit few years ago also Joensuu and Koli ? )
When I visit in May this will have been my first ever visit. Also heading to Kuusamo, Ivalo and into Norway to Varangerfjord.
ReplyDeleteI think an "on the way to work" bird it worth twice an "in a nature reserve bird!"
ReplyDeleteWell done.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne