There were several swans that alternated between the two impoundments. I am not a big fan, but you have to admit they are beautiful. Their initial takeoff has all the style and grace of watching a bus try to fly. Once they are airborne they are impressive. With their wide wing span, they make powerful and forceful beats of their wings. When they fly over your head it sounds like their joints are arthritic and creaking.


At first this one didn't look like it would gain enough altitude to clear my tripod as it headed towards me.

Unlike Joe McNally's photo of Brandon Wight we didn't have to order theses wings from Mother Plucker

It was so quiet and clod that I was starting to question my wisdom of circling the lower impoundment. Towards the far end, I was rewarded with some great views of a Red-tailed Hawk hunting.

The sun shining off the tail demonstrates that they are aptly named

Puffed up to trap all the warmth it was generating, it reminds me of those puffy down jackets that were popular back in the 70's

Finally it saw and captured its next meal. Unfortunately there was asmall branch in the way, so I had to do a little Photoshop reconstructive surgery on the limb.