Marta and I went to photograph a rare bird...(Trumpeter swans, plus a rare cousin)

[Omaha Steve]

Tundra swan: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/tundra_swan/lifehistory



True to its name, the Tundra Swan breeds on the high tundra across the top of North America. It winters in large flocks along both coasts, and is frequently encountered during its migration across the continent.


The story that started our quest: Quite a sight at Levi Carter Park: Trumpeter swans, plus a rare cousin: http://www.omaha.com/article/20140118/OUTDOORS/140118688

Published Saturday, January 18, 2014 at 1:00 am / Updated at 1:25 am

By Nancy Gaarder

A flock of trumpeter swans and a rare tundra swan have claimed Levi Carter Park as home this winter, providing easy access to a spectacular sight.

Trumpeter swans are large — they're North America's heaviest bird — and vividly white, so Omaha-area residents unfamiliar with the bird will quickly realize they're seeing something new.

As many as 22 trumpeter swans flock to the park for the night, Omaha birder Justin Rink said. The birds are drawn to the lake because it has some of the only open water in the region.

They arrive in late afternoon, feed and rest overnight, and take off the next morning for a day in area fields. During the day, there are few, if any, swans on the lake.

FULL story at link. We didn't see the tundra swan. We might try again. Some of our band width friendly photos below.

Photos by the Omaha World Herald: http://odc.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=5002&p=5036

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. We see a lot more trumpeter swans around here than we used to.

I shot this video of a few of them off my brother's deck in suburban St. Paul a couple of weeks ago:

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[Zorra]

2. Nice! Thanks, K&R. nt

[XemaSab]

3. Swans are rad

I added them to my yard list last month.

[UtahLib]

4. K&R Hiding out among the geese. n/t

[Demeter]

5. We repopulated Trumpeters in Ann Arbor

We had a captive pair on our pond in the condo association, and when their babies came back, sent the parents into retirement....now there are generations all over the Huron River and around here.

[Paper Roses]

6. Beautiful. n/t