What a day to be on the shores of Lake Erie! Very crisp and clear...and very loud!We decided to check out Metzger Marsh to look for ducks..and maybe even a gull(you know gulls, those white and gray flappy things.) When we pulled up, we couldn't believe the sight in front of us, lots of ice and off in the clear patches, Swans! Dozens and dozens of them! I counted 102 Trumpeter and Tundra and 2 Mute Swans before more started flying in and I got dizzy.
The sounds of these huge birds can be deafening when they all get riled up at the same time, the high pitched Tundras and the honky Trumpeters and the...wait the Mutes didn't say much...
Add to that the sound of the lake cracking and popping as the water moved under the ice.
The wonders of nature...let's try to save them, shall we?
I was so excited to see 3A0, my favorite Trumpeter Swan!She was born in August of 2004, and I first saw her in March of 2009.
I've spotted her a few times a year ever since...along with her mate and many cygnets!
There's always a loner...
Sometimes you just got to get flappy!
Those two dark spot in front of the cooling tower?They're a pair of Bald Eagles feasting on fresh frozen duck.
We saw five Eagles out on the ice harassing those Canada Geese and ducks.
That's the Doodles and Judy on the icy pier at Metzger.You don't want to go swimming today!
Poor WRBLRZ, frozen solid and covered with road salt!
By the way...if you own a cat, keep them indoors!These two were hunting the American Tree Sparrows that were feeding in the area.
The beauty of Lake Erie in the winter...
Awesome report!!!!! I might haveta drive all the way over there pretty soon.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, oh my goodness! What a great day you had! Brought back memories of many a day standing in the cold, Maine wind....birding! There is a river in Providence, RI just down the street from my old house that hosted hundreds of swans during the spring. I'd never seen anything like it before. Great post today.~karen
ReplyDeleteBeautiful area and very nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteThat must have been a great sight to see so many Swans together like that Dave.
ReplyDeleteAnd cold too lol
The Trumpeter Swans are beautiful, and all together. The last picture is kind of "Erie".
ReplyDeleteMarianne, let me know when you're coming up here!
ReplyDeleteThanks Karen! It is amazing to see so many big white birds together!
Thanks Chad! You'll have to visit here in May.
Keith, Yep...cold!
Argh...Bob!...erie...ha!
You will be glad to know that I spotted 3AO today and took some pictures of her and her mate at the Ottawa Wildlife refuge.
ReplyDelete