There is something very magical about swans, particularly this time of the year when thousands of graceful Bewicks and Whoopers migrate from Arctic Russia and Iceland to spend the winter at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust in Welney, close to where I live.
When two keen ornithological friends visited me from Cologne last week, Dan and Cathy, this was where we headed. I had borrowed my photographer friend, Bob Mozejko’s 70-300mm zoon lens to capture them being fed with my Nikon D50. This love-heart pic was one I took during my last visit. I wasn’t able to improve on it, but have added some of the 120 snaps I took at the top of my page.
It awoke my interest in photography (I used to develop my own black and white pics and have had many photos published professionally in the Cambridge Evening News), so I decided to invest in my own zoom lens and must return more frequently, and take advantage of my membership.
The hide at the 1,000 acre reserve was packed when we arrived an hour ahead of the feed, people travel for many miles to watch it, and it makes me realise how lucky I am to live nearby. It delights all generations, and there can be no more impressive site than a swan swooping in, so Concorde like in flight.
As we drove home, across the dark, flat eerie Fenland landscape, sharp-eyed Dan spotted a white barn owl sitting on a gate and a heron perched in a field in his car headlights. We followed the owl to another resting place before it vanished into a barn. I wish I was so observant, I’m sure I would have missed them.
If Maalie and Simon are ever this way, I know they would love to visit Welney. And although not an expert, just an enthusiast, I would be delighted to escort them.
Swans are incredible aren’t they? What a wonderful picture Ellee. We don’t have many birds that I an see out of my window here as this is a Cat street so the birds keep well clear, but I hear loads when out walking the dog. Wish I knew what they were. The RSPB site is very good though.
Would love to take you up on that Ellee! Looks like you had a great day there. I’m in Leicester now, on my way to Italy (I think I deserve a wee break, I haven’t been abroad since December).
Maalie, you are a runcible fellow! You must be getting itcy feet, and I don’t blame you wanting to get away from the snow and slush. Italy is so beautiful and cultural, I hope you have a wonderful time.
That’s a great photograph! I was driving near the water park in Gloucestershire at the beginning of December and passed a meadow full of white beasts which I assumed were sheep. In fact they were over 100 swans. Amazing!
Aw nice pic Ellee, I like the way the swans are framed by the ducks. A good day was had by all it seems, judging from your pics. In fact I was looking at the swan feeding details just the other day but decided it was a bit far just now. One day perhpas, until then I’ll enjoy your photos 🙂
A place I have always wanted to visit but never got round to it yet….
They are such beautiful birds. We in London have had problems with the Kurds, and others, trying to poache them. Sad, isn’t it?
They are certainly magical, Ellee.
Beautiful!
Very very nice! We have a lake near Mt Lofty near my home that is a magical place. Although people can hike through the area, dogs and cars are prohibited. In the middle is a big lake with black swans. They’re quite tame because they know people will feed them bread. So, they’ll scare the little birds away with some violent wing flapping (they’re huge!) and then head down, try and flirt with you to get that bread from your hand!
I’ll go up there and get a snap for you, Ellee!
Lovely photo Ellee and it seems like a very special place
[…] way from Iceland and Arctic Russia to spend the winter on the Ouse Washes at Welney. It really is a magical sight to see them swoop in. They look so effortlessly graceful, so Concorde […]