Spreading his wings

.
Midwinter, 2009-2010 ~
.
It is amazing how swiftly the water can move, even on a channel as narrow as the Crow River, and even though the water is covered with ice. But the webbed feet of a Trumpeter Swan are equal to the fast current, allowing the birds swim in place in the open water beneath the bluff just east of town.

They gather in this spot because of the open water, and because a friend of mine, Curt Oien, helps them survive the harsh winter with handfuls of dried corn. (Fact is, Curt can go through hundreds of pounds of corn each winter, lugging it down to the riverbank in five-gallon painter’s pails.)

On this morning, the winter cold had its usual bitterness, but the air was tolerable for lack of wind. We watched the birds for nearly an hour, long enough to see the abundant grace and elegance that Trumpeters are known for.

Just as we were about to depart, the Trumpeter’s too, began to take flight… blasting their trademark salutes as if to say, “Thanks for breakfast, Curt. See you tomorrow?” I glanced back—camera at the ready—to take one more look before heading up the hill. A light snow had fallen the night before, covering the rocks and ice chunks on the opposing bank, and creating the illusion of clouds in the background. Just then, the dominant Trumpeter spread his wings in one final display of pageantry.

Mike

[Editor’s note: This photo is the winner in the wildlife category of the 2010 Crow River Organization of Water photography contest. To see other winners and runners-up, visit the C.R.O.W. website by clicking here. It is the second consecutive year that one of our photographs has been so recognized; last year’s winner was our shot of a deer, “Cooling Off in the Crow River.”]

© 2010-2011 Mike Anderson, St. Michael, MN. All rights reserved.