Nikon D300S | Tamron 200 - 500 mm lens | ISO 200 1/320 sec @ f10

No this isn’t another set of images from Green Island or Sabula.  These images were taken yesterday on my lunch hour at the Hurstville Wildlife Center.  Affectionately known around Maquoketa as the “Duck Pond.”

There are a pair of Trumpeter Swans that come back every year (for the last 7 years at least.)  They usually stay late up to November before departing.  This year they returned about the middle of February.

Nikon D300S | Tamron 200 - 500 mm lens | ISO 200 1/320 sec @ f10

The “Duck Pond” is known as a rest stop for migratory birds on their way North in the Spring and South in the Winter.  On any given day you may find any number of species of birds.  Last year there was a huge flock of Pelicans that spent a couple of days at the pond.

The  Wildlife Center is only about 1.5 miles from my office and I pass it every morning on the way to work (when the sun is in the perfect position and I am always late) and on the way home when I would be shooting directly into the sun.

Nikon D300S | Tamron 200 - 500 mm lens | ISO 200 1/320 sec @ f10

So yesterday the sun was bright, it was cold and windy but I wanted to get out and do some shooting.  I had noticed a large number of birds on the water when I came by yesterday morning so I thought I’d grab a sandwich and see what I could capture.

It was pretty cold and after about 20 minutes and 180 images I was an ice-cube.  Plus of course I was over my time limit for lunch. There is never enough time.

I don’t know what the Swan above was doing but after her cruise around the pond with her mate she stopped off at their residence and she was flinging grass and dirt every where.  Maybe she was just doing some spring cleaning. 🙂

Anyway it felt good to get out and make some images again.  Hope you have a nice weekend.  I’ll post some more Hurstville images tomorrow.  Be careful and thanks for stopping by.