Murphy Hektner, APSA
December 2025 - Trumpeter Swans
Original
About the Image(s)
DATA: Pentax K7 with Pentax 60-250 @ 250mm --- bean bag on car window with motor shut off --- ISO 500 --- 1/250 @ f/9 --- early evening sun --- post processed in Elements ---
MAKER’S AIMS AND COMMENTS: Around 10,000 of these magnificent birds over-winter in Skagit County Washington which is the largest in county over wintering population of these Swans in the USA. During the day they feed in agricultural farm fields, and then migrate to larger bodies of water to over-night.
Even though they are not hunted they are a wary bird. If you to drive by a small group fairly close to the road and stop, they will immediately start to move away. Hard to get a good pose of the entire group.
3 comments posted
Excellent candidate for monochrome conversion. The different colors in the bird all go to white/gray, and the grass is substantially darker - great contrast.
Happy Holidays Posted: 12/07/2025 19:13:37
Happy Holidays Posted: 12/07/2025 19:13:37
Hi Murphy,
I have my own share of images of these swans so I know what you are saying about how shy they are.
I like this group. The one spreading its wings provides a nice backdrop to the other four as they are looking in a different direction. Different stories come to mind as I ponder what they are reacting to.
Processing is excellent and brings out the birds beautfully. Posted: 12/08/2025 17:49:50
I have my own share of images of these swans so I know what you are saying about how shy they are.
I like this group. The one spreading its wings provides a nice backdrop to the other four as they are looking in a different direction. Different stories come to mind as I ponder what they are reacting to.
Processing is excellent and brings out the birds beautfully. Posted: 12/08/2025 17:49:50
Murphy: The lighting on this image is very nice and the mono conversion is excellent. There's no loss of detail in the whites. It's also nice that none of the birds have their heads turned away from the camera which sometimes happens when shooting a group of birds or animals. The image is nice and sharp throughout. Great job! Posted: 12/10/2025 16:03:25