Cygnet joy-riding

As some of you may know, I had an unfortunately episode with a pair of mating swans last year. Well, all my efforts have finally been rewarded. A nesting pair have produced a little one. He's absolutely gorgeous and they seem proud to show him off to me. This is a sunset shot, hence the colours. I got off a few hundred shots before the night breezes started and I was still a few miles from port. Isn't he a cutie??

This was the proud parents-to-be on May 6. It's unusual for them to only have one egg but maybe the parks people took all but one for population control. Last year they just oiled all the eggs and there were no babies around.

 

Thanks so much, Jarrell and Gale. I was hoping these shots wd look as good on screen as they did on the chimping. A big fat "YESSSSS" echoed through the swamp when I reviewed these. I just kept shooting as long as they stayed around, which was about 1.5 hours.
I'm so happy to finally get some cygnet shots after over a year of paddling, shooting and waiting. Thanks for sharing my joy.

 

Thanks so much, Martin and Mary. I've spent 14 months waiting for this shot. A lot of cold rainy-day paddles, sore aching muscles, cold wet feet but I finally got my cygnet shots. This is one curious little guy so I'm heading back on Thursday to shoot him some more. He's very curious about the lens and my kayak, but the father would pick him up by a wing with his beak and put him back behind the adults. I'll edit up a series for those interested.

 

Thank you all for your kind words - yes, this picture means so much and not just for the capture, but for the long hours invested in trying to get it. Those National Geog guys get all my respect, waiting hours in dreadful weather to get the right shot. This was at the end of a very long day paddling, did about 28 kms, and the evening was warm. I just didn't want to go in. Decided to stay out and see what the evening brought me even tho I knew I'd end up paddling home in the dark (w/head lamp and rear flashers of course). There was no one around and these three stuck to me like glue. I got some fantastic shots, if you want to see more, visit http://www.pbase.com/sjackson/summer2005
Once again, many thanks for your words and thoughts. I do love the look on his little face!

 

Thank you all so much for your kind words of praise and encouragement. I found I was losing quite a few kayaking shots with the 70-200VR and finally figured out why - SLOW DOWN! I was doing too much rapid firing. That lens needs patience, I'd brace my elbows tight and then squeeze. Now about 98% of shots are crystal sharp. Getting used to the change in DOF from the coolpix line has been my most troublesome problem. All shots were very shallow DOF. Of course, moving subjects and moving kayak don't help! I'm getting there, I'm getting there...
You folks have given me encouragement through all this transistion to DSLR and I thank you for it. Seeing these pics, now I'm really glad I bought this whole setup. Poor 5700 feels so abandoned! LOL