Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Trumpeter Swan invades area waters but finds danger


Winter is tough on all wildlife here in Southeastern Idaho, but with about 1000 Trumpeter Swan on the Teton and Snake River system, any open water gets a lot of attention.  Often landing on warm creeks are dangerous because of the telephone and electrical lines that run through the area.

This group is resting and feeding on the Henrys Fork of the Snake River.


Flashers are placed on wires near feeding areas and flight zones to alert the swans of the wires.



At times when groups of swan looks for water to rest and feed on, sometimes the lead birds block out the danger of the back birds.  Here is a dead Trumpeter that hit an electrical wire over the Texas Slough in the Burton area, probably breaking its neck.


This beautiful bird is flying over the area where the dead swan is laying.  Hopefully it will see and stay clear of all the wires along the slough.



See other great bird pictures at WORLD BIRD WEDNESDAY.
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13 comments:

  1. jooFebruary 22, 2011 at 2:01 PM

    The last photo is fabulous!

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  2. theconstantwalkerFebruary 22, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Lovely images of a beautiful Swan

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  3. AFTERMATHFebruary 22, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    Very nice blog and great initiative to get all the photos of the birds in your county. The Trumpeters are divine and your banner shot outrageously good.

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  4. eileeninmdFebruary 22, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    They are beautiful birds. Great shots.

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  5. mickFebruary 22, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    Great photos. The Bird in flight is especially beautiful.

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  6. DaveFebruary 23, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    Nice series of shots.... unfortunate you had to witness a deceased swan.

    Great idea of capturing on digital film all your county birds.... great way to get out and about.

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  7. holdingmomentsFebruary 23, 2011 at 5:15 AM

    Love that flight shot.
    Such a shame that some collide with man made objects though.

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  8. SpringmanFebruary 23, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    Its a strange gauntlet these magnificent birds traverse. It must be heartbreaking to see the results of these accidents.

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  9. Betsy Banks AdamsFebruary 23, 2011 at 8:57 AM

    Aren't those gorgeous birds, Bill????? I love to see them in flight...

    Do you ever see the Sandhill Cranes as they pass through? My son sent me some pictures where they 'winter' in his area of Galveston, Texas.

    Betsy

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  10. AnonymousFebruary 23, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    Lovely birds! Wildlife does sometimes fall victim to man's conveniences.

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  11. SondraFebruary 23, 2011 at 5:28 PM

    SO upsetting to see the danger we humans create for the crittes of the Planet.--AT least they have tried to mark the lines...
    Lovely photo of the swan in flight!!

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  12. Pat UlrichFebruary 24, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    really interesting post about the swans, and how sad that the power lines cause them such problems. I wonder if small reflectors like that actually help or not.

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  13. Mike B. @ slugyard.comFebruary 26, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    Too bad for the swan- at least a carnivore probably got a meal out of it.

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