I like to start my day with swans - no news stories, no list of tasks to accomplish, no pressure - just swans. This pair of trumpeters arrived more than a week ago; whether they will continue northward or nest here remains to be seen. I’ve been watching them nearly every day and rather than pursuing, I’ve waited for the right light, the right situation, the right feeling for another photo session.
Shortly after arriving this morning, with nobody else in sight, the swans floated down the creek in my direction and preened themselves in the shallow pool right in front of me. They didn’t seem the least bit startled as I made my way to the water’s edge, knelt down and began to photograph. After spending some quality time with me they swam away, going about their routine uninterrupted and I continued on my way, feeling a sense of calm.