Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Thursday, November 14, 2019

Tundra Swans

A small relapse found me once again using a cane after my knee surgery. Taking pity on me my good friend Mr. science, Gary, a former teaching colleague offered to take me down to Mississippi River to see the annual migration of the tundra Swan's. It was really cold that morning and dressing for arctic conditions I forgot my camera so some of the pictures here will reflect past visits on the same occasion.
At an overlook  in Minnesota, near the Iowa border, south of Brownsville we see some tundras and a late-season barge on the river. Across the Father Of Waters, clouded in mist, lay Wisconsin.
 
As   we parked along the highway,  we heard a rather loud and strange sound emanating from the river.  It was a kind of  of excited yet friendly conversation among some visitors from the tundra far to the north.
Here, we were to witness a world class event in the world of natural  wonders. Coming from the arctic , in  their thousands, tundra swans had stopped to refuel and rest, before continuing their journey to Chesapeake Bay, far to the southeast.



With the construction of the lock and dam system on the river in the 1930's, many of the natural aspects of the river have changed. One of these is the wave action of the increased open spaces. Many islands have disappeared. Because of this, many of the plants and tubers the swans fed on also disappeared. Now man is undoing the damage and helping the birds, by using dredge material from the main channel to rebuild these islands. The artificial islands providing a resting place and shelter from the wind and renewed food supplies. It’s not entirely safe for the ducks and swans who gather here though as hundreds of bald eagles cruise overhead  along the river as well.  They are always on the lookout for an easy lunch.

The  overlook provides a safe place for people to turn out to see and photograph the swans.   Previously people would park along the shoulder endangering themselves and passing vehicles. Way to go DNR and Army Corps of Engineers. We make an annual trip along the river to see this amazing sight. It never grows old.  Thanks Mother Nature!

And Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Flying Swans from Mr. Sciences "Nature Notes."
 

23 comments:

  1. Just fantastic! They really can squawk, can't they? They are visiting Utah right now, too. I've seen a handful just flying overhead, but after I get Thanksgiving dinner over, I can get out to the best viewing sites.

    Nice to have a safe place to view.

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  2. How spectacular! You're so fortunate to have witnessed that.
    And thank you for sharing!!
    Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
    :)

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  4. I am so jealous ! What a wondrous thing to observe. I also liked what you wrote about "Lincoln", my oldest son and I have a date to see that soon.

    Oh, and by the way...
    HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

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  5. That was so great that you were able to see that. I didn't realize that they headed to the costal waters in the east. I am glad you shared this.

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  6. Wow, what an experience! I bet it was pretty noisy! Nice shots for your memory book!!

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  7. Man oh man, what a magnificent photo op and experience!

    Hope you are having a blessed Thanksgiving!

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  8. Happy Thanksgiving, hope it was a good one with family.
    Cheers,
    Mike

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  9. Now that is something to be thankful for! You and Mrs. T were fortunate to be there as witnesses to one of nature's miracles. I'm glad the river system is being altered to accommodate the wildlife.

    Hope you had a wonderful holiday.

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  10. Awesome! I wanted to drive through that area when we came home from Indiana..but as you know when men are concentrating on getting home..then that is where you go.
    It must be quite a sight! I am glad you got to go! How are you feeling? :)

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  11. What a terrific posting! I would love to someday have the opportunity to visit such a site at such a time!

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  12. WOW! How cool! I'm glad you could get out to see them again this year. Good that you spirited on...with or without the cane. Getting out will do you a world of good--emotionally and physically.

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  13. Glad you have a friend to get you out and about. This looks like a wondrous thing to me!

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  14. Aren’t they wonderful! So glad you got to get out with your friend to enjoy them. I used to drive over north of Winona every winter to see and hear them. There was a spot near Alma I think where people camped in subzero January weather at a swan festival. I never camped but I enjoyed the hot chocolate for sale and company that gathered and then went home to my warm bed at night.

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  15. Wow what a sight. Have never seen but would love to. Your science guy is a good friend. Happy Thanksgiving Ray.

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  16. Swans are a very majestic bird.

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  17. What a sight that must be, and what a nice outing for you at this time.

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  18. How very cool! I hoped to see some migrating swans yesterday on a trip to an area where they hang out on their way south, but I didn't. Your pictures are wonderful! :-)

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  19. What a sight! Glad you got to get out a bit!

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  20. Lovely! What a sight! Hope you recover fully and enjoy Thanksgiving with friends and/or family.

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  21. What a sweet post and I'm so glad your friend took you to see it. I'm also glad that you are remaining with your blogger friends. I love the way you express your reactions when you comment on my posts. Being a teacher in your past comes in loud ad clear. Hugs.

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  22. I was totally unaware of this amazing phenomenon. Thank you for the introduction! Best wishes with that recuperating knee.

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