Beautiful Sunday - Sun and Swans - Actifit Report: February 2 2020
I walked around a frozen lake today, enjoying the fresh air and beautiful sunshine. We have had a long stretch of gray and overcast days, so it was wonderful. And the temperature was amazing - just above freezing.
I saw some amazing wildlife, which I will get to shortly. First, here are some scenes from the snowy trails.
Next - the lake itself. As you can see, we walk on the frozen lakes here in Minnesota in the winter.
Here’s an overlook built out over the water.
At the very end of my walk, I decided to take this little side trip — a path that goes over a bridge and crosses a creek to a marsh.
And that was when I saw two swans! I have never seen these beautiful creatures in winter here.
Bottoms up!
The other amazing thing was that I could see two other large dark birds further out. It's quite a large lake and I couldn't get close enough to see them from anywhere. My guess was that they were turkeys, because we have tons of them around here -- although I also couldn't remember seeing them in winter. I was wishing for binoculars!
After I had been watching and photographing the swans for a while, a woman with a nice camera came and joined me. She had a good telephoto lens, and said she had just gotten her camera for Christmas (a Canon Rebel), and was really enjoying it.
I asked her if she could tell me what the other two birds were, and she told me they were eagles! Unfortunately, I neglected to ask her what type. We do have a lot of bald eagles around here but you can see their white heads from quite a ways off so it must have been another breed.
Okay just a few more pictures. The creek was really pretty. And I'm so amazed that the lake is completely frozen and people can walk on it, but meanwhile the water is running beneath the crust of ice.
Thanks so much for visiting and reading my blog! Please leave a comment to let me know if you experience anything like this where you live!
Well that was my #BeautifulSunday walk!
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A #BeautifulSunday indeed! Love the first couple of pictures with the ray of sunshine coming onto the path - like you were being guided!
That is strange to see the swans still there but I guess if the water is still running and there is some open water they will stay. We have that same phonomia with geese staying over winter in Saskatoon for the water remains ope in the river by the water treatment plant. Must be the same for the eagles that there is enough food with the open water.
Have you been having a milder winter?
That creek is really beautiful, giving you some beautiful shots! I could just image how it must have felt with sunshine and milder temperatures!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, @porters! Yes, it was glorious. We have had some mild days among some very cold stretches. I’ve never seen open water in the middle of winter. So I do think we are overall having a milder winter. But also it rained off and on all summer and fall, so creeks were running when winter came that normally would have been dry. I think that has something to do with it too.
What a great walk and you got lots of activity steps in. We have about the same amount of snow here.
A lovely surprise to see the swans.
I couldn’t believe it! I really wonder where they normally winter
Unreal to think you're walking a frozen lake on the other side of the world and we're having one of our hottest summers here! Blow some of the snow our way please;)
Lovely photos @jayna!
Oh I wish I could! I would love to help cool you guys down!
That must have been quite a walk! The photos you took are beautiful. They reminded me of a walk I took in winter in Minnesota, in the wetlands of Eden Prairie.
Wow! This was in fact a wetland in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Possibly the same one.
It's a small world! ;0)
Indeed it is!
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You sure got some beautiful photos on your walk. The swans (and other water fowl) must have heating coils in their feet, as the frigid water apparently doesn't faze them at all!
I know, right? I’m assuming it’s the same for swans as it is for ducks. They have a different circulatory system: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/blogs/amp/why-dont-ducks-get-frostbite-when-swimming-in-icy-ponds
Thanks for posting that article link. A pretty complicated system they have! Says the same thing keeps them cool when they are in water warmer than their body. Incredible. Their feet are really important!
Yeah, it’s fun learning about things like that — in the category of stuff you don’t generally need to know but it’s cool!
Your pictures are breathtaking my friend.
I think that I have seen light snow a handful of times here in South Africa and it must feel like a dream to walk on a frozen lake.
So sad, as with my ultra zoom I could have gotten those eagles for ya!
A lovely post indeed!
Blessings!
Yes I would have loved to see the pictures you could take of the birds! I yearned to get a better view of them!
I know what it's like being unable to get real look at something interesting my dear friend. Also always troubles me.
But I console myself with the thought that sooner or later I will get a closer look.
Blessings!
Wonderful photos! Those of us in the Midwest do treasure the sun this time of year
Would it be old fashioned to actually pray to the sun, do you think? Ha ha. Where are you located?
Wisconsin, near Janesville.
Ah, Wisconsin — our neighbor. Howdy, neighbor!
Hey there! We ARE neighbors!
You can find the community announcement on Discord :) and it has also been shared on our FB Page and Twitter feed.
Thank you so much! I am honored!!
What a beautiful walk @jayna...but cold!!! I remember how we used to bundle up and take those cold winter hikes. The sky is so blue! Love it
Thank you, @birdsinparadise. Yes, bundling up is a must! It helps to put on layers in case you need to peel one off. 😆