A few more photos from my visit to Hudson on February 26.
A pair of swans, backlit, water sparkling around them.
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A swan stands up and flaps.
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A swan just after takeoff.
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More swans take off with a splash.
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Running on water
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Backlit swan at sunset
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Two cleared for takeoff
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Pair of swans at dusk
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Preening at dusk
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And, that’s all. Hope you enjoyed!
On Friday, February 26, 2010, I headed up to Hudson again to photograph the Trumpeter Swans there. I had a beautiful, clear day with highs in the upper 20’s and a light and variable breeze. The swans were very cooperative. I set up my folding chair on the ice and shot away. Oh, the tough life of a nature photographer! 
In all, I took over 600 images. Here are some of the results.
General view of the swans with a couple of ducks.
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Three Swans a swimming
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I captured this image just after the swan pulled his head out of the water.
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Head on view.
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Side View.
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Graceful curves.
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Side by Side Landing.
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One Swan Asleeping
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Poise
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Here’s looking at you, kid!
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Showoff!
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Shy
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Love
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Another shot of a swan just after pulling its head out of the water.
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Swanson had an excellent routine but just couldn’t stick the landiing!
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PARTY TIME!
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Sig tried hard but the ladies just weren’t impressed.
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The first time, ever I saw your face…
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“What’s so special about those ugly ducklings? I’m the pretty one!”
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I’ll be posting more photos from my day at Hudson later.
Hope you enjoyed!
During February, I made 2 trips over to the Mississippi River, with the primary intent to photograph American Bald Eagles.
On February 11, I headed over to Colvill Park in Red Wing, MN where I had a lot of success the past two years. For a reason I haven’t been able to fathom, eagles were scarce there on this particular day. Those that were around were either too far away or flying too high for my 400mm lens to reach them. I finally gave up and headed south along the river. South of Lake City, I pulled into an overlook. I saw several eagles in trees close to the overlook but didn’t have a clear shot of any of them. They gradually flew away and I was able to capture this image of one flying straight away from me.
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After watching for awhile, I headed further south and stopped in at Reed’s Landing. As expected, I saw quite a few eagles there. Also as expected, they were impossible to photograph. I did see, and capture, a fly-by of some trumpeter swans.
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Somewhat disappointed with my results, I headed home.
Today, February 25, I headed over to Colvill Park again. Again, the eagles were scarce and far away. It seemed even worse than the previous trip. Desperate to photograph something… anything… I noticed the patterns and textures on the ice…
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A common merganser swam moderately close, giving me another subject.
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Again, any eagles I saw flying were really beyond the reach of my lens.
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Then, it was back to patterns and textures in the ice again.
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I did have a nice conversation with Luis from Honduras who has been staying in Red Wing for about 15 months.
Then, the waxing moon rose, providing me another, high-flying subject.
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Finally, an adult eagle flew low enough to be in range.
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Following right behind was a juvenile, flying even lower.
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The show was short lived. The two eagles flew away and no others showed up. With the light fading rapidly, I packed up and headed for home.
A brief visit back to last year… On December 28, I headed up to Hudson, WI since I’d heard there were Trumpeter Swans along the St. Croix River there. I wasn’t disappointed. An area of open water there was full of just enough birds and close enough to photograph. The light was very good too. The only problem was, most of the birds were backlit and they mostly faced away from the sun so there were some exposure issues. I spent a good 2 hours happily clicking away.
Here’s a trio of the swans.
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It was tough timing a wing stretch. They didn’t do it for very long.
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These 2 seemed to be gossiping about something occuring further away… or, maybe they were talking about the crazy photographer on shore on such a cold day.
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Two cleared for takeoff
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Time for a drink.
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A little squabble
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In flight.
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Ducks and ice shelves.
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A squadron takes off.
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Anyone for curling?
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One of these things is not like the others.
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Looks like the Concorde taking off
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More take offs
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The light really got nice as the sun was setting.
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All too soon it was time to pack up and head for home. A good day at work 
