photoartflightMute Swans From The Edwin B. Forsythe NWR
Posted on December 13, 2016
Going through my files and found these images of Mute Swans taken at the Edwin B. Forsythe NWR, Brigantine Division in Oceanville, NJ. This is one of my favorite locations to photograph birds. From shore birds, to wadding birds, to raptors it has a diverse amount of photo subjects for you to look for. Plus there are great subjects in every season.
Mute Swans Taking Flight
Posted on May 14, 2016
One of my favorite birds to photograph are Mute Swans taking off. Between the flapping, splashing and the noise of flapping wings against the water and sound of their wings as they go by. Also it takes quite a bit of space for them to actually get airborne, so lots of photo opportunities if you are in the right spot.
Swan Landing
Posted on May 3, 2016
I like photographing Mute swans Taking or Landing. They need a lot of space for either one, so you can get some interesting shots. This one almost looks like it skidded in.
Mute Swan – Heads or Tails
Posted on March 25, 2016
I photographed this Mute Swan at a local Nature area. When you get close it is amazing how large Mute swans are. I like the way they kind of keep an eye on you when you are close to them. I was traveling light with my small m43 camera with a 100-300mm lens which is equivalent, because of the 2X crop factor of m43 cameras, to a 200mm – 600mm lens equivalent on a Canon or Nikon full frame camera body. For a 600mm equivalent the Panasonic 100-300mm has a fairly close minimum focusing distance with a small compact lens that is pretty sharp if you get use to adjusting the files.
Mute Swan Birdscape
Posted on March 19, 2016
This Mute Swan was swimming along the shoreline with the dried grasses in the background. I thought the warm colors looked interesting so I shot a 2 shot panorama and blended the 2 images in Photoshop. Because the swan was moving I used a soft edge mask to blend the 2 images, because the swan was actually in 2 different areas along the shoreline in each shot. By blending the images I hid the differences in position.
Heads Or Tails
Posted on September 4, 2015
I like to photograph Swans. One – They are Large! Two – they allow you to get Close! Three – They are fun to photograph. Four – They are Large (again). Easy to get frame filling photos. They allow you to get close. Between their antics between pairs, seeing babies on their backs swimming by, their action going after other birds too close to their nest. It can go on and on. Also if you get a bunch fly by you, the sound of the Woosh from their wingbeats is cool sounding. Also watching them flapping like crazy getting airborne is fun to photograph.
Mute Swan 2 Shot Panorama
Posted on August 18, 2015
This Mute Swan swam up to where I was sitting. I could not get the whole swan so I shot 2 shots quickly handheld to combine into a final image. Then as it got closer I tried 3 shots and 4 shots. I usually see my subjects farther away so when they come close it is fun to try combing images. Also you get a large file with lots of detail for large prints or severe cropping. I use Photoshop just because I tend to like to do other touchups and sharpening at the same time. Friends like Zerene Stacker, Helicon Focus and there are even some free ones if you search online.
Mute Swan Nest
Posted on May 4, 2015
This Mute Swan made a nest at a local Nature Center very close to the visitors center. There are six eggs, one which had rolled out of the nest.
Lone egg that had rolled out
Nest with 5 remaining eggs.
Swan with nest
Swan adjusting and rolling eggs.
Swan on nest
Mute Swan Chasing Canada Goose
Posted on May 2, 2015
This Mute Swan seemed to be protecting its turf at this small pond at the J.A. McFaul Environmental Center. I think there was a nest nearby and this Swan was keeping the Geese away. It seemed to keep the Geese clear of a large area of the pond.
Mute Swan Preening
Posted on May 1, 2015
I saw this Mute Swan swimming in the pond at the McFaul Environmental Center. Usually the Swans seem to be protecting a nearby nest, but this one was just swimming & preening in the water.
All were shot with a m43 Panasonic GH2, LUMIX G VARIO 100-300/F4.0-5.6, 35mm equiv. 600mm
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