photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Nick Komar | profile | all galleries >> Birds >> Rare Birds >> Swans in Larimer County >> Swans in Loveland 2005 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Swans in Loveland 2005

A group of 7 swans in southwest Loveland. Larimer County, Colorado on 27Nov2005 provides an identification challenge. I believe these are 6 adult Trumpeter Swans and 1 juvenile Tundra Swan. This will be the third consecutive winter for Trumpeter Swans in Loveland. If still present by spring, the identity of the juvenile should be revealed. For swan identification, I consulted Sibley Guide to Birds and Trumpeter Swan Society website, http://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/. The juvenile was identified as a Tundra because of 1) small size, 2) predominantly pink bill, 3) high-ride and wide angle of rear end and 4) black color of legs. This last field mark may be the most important and shows poorly in these photos, but was seen well through telescopes by myself and Joe Roller on 11/27 and by Aimee Ryel on 11/26. These photos were taken on a small pond next to Ryan Gulch Reservoir.
Trumpeter Swans have returned for the third consecutive winter in Loveland CO!
Trumpeter Swans have returned for the third consecutive winter in Loveland CO!		 6 large adult Trumpeter Swans and one smaller juvenile swan considered to be a Tundra Swan.
6 large adult Trumpeter Swans and one smaller juvenile swan considered to be a Tundra Swan.		 The large adults all look like this - note head and bill shape and slight V on Forehead (rather then U)
The large adults all look like this - note head and bill shape and slight "V" on Forehead (rather then "U")		 The V on forehead is more obvious on this adult Trumpeter Swan. Juv. has this too, but this is not diagnostic for juvs.
The "V" on forehead is more obvious on this adult Trumpeter Swan. Juv. has this too, but this is not diagnostic for juvs.		 Close-up of juvenile Swan. Notice how high the rear end rides, and the wide angle formed by the rear end.
Close-up of juvenile Swan. Notice how high the rear end rides, and the wide angle formed by the rear end.
Close-up of juvenile bill; shape and size are not diagnostic, but limited black favors Tundra
Close-up of juvenile bill; shape and size are not diagnostic, but limited black favors Tundra		 Notice how low the rear end of this Trumpeter rides, and the narrow angle formed.
Notice how low the rear end of this Trumpeter rides, and the narrow angle formed.		 Notice how thin is the juv's neck compared with the adult Trumpeter.
Notice how thin is the juv's neck compared with the adult Trumpeter.		 Another opportunity to compare the structure of the juv with the adult Trumpeters. Notice again the neck.
Another opportunity to compare the structure of the juv with the adult Trumpeters. Notice again the neck.		 The juv is turning white. Juv Tundras become white earlier than Juv. Trumpeters.
The juv is turning white. Juv Tundras become white earlier than Juv. Trumpeters.
Note the black leg of the juv, diagnostic for juv Tundra as juv Trumpeter has an olive leg. This was clearer through scopes.
Note the black leg of the juv, diagnostic for juv Tundra as juv Trumpeter has an olive leg. This was clearer through scopes.		 Juv Swan Update (Loveland Tundra? Swan)
:: Juv Swan Update (Loveland Tundra? Swan) :: 		Swans continue in Loveland on 3 Dec 2005
:: Swans continue in Loveland on 3 Dec 2005 :: 		Tundra Swan returns to southwest Loveland
:: Tundra Swan returns to southwest Loveland ::

comment | share
click on thumbnails for full image