Last Summer’s predictions for a mild and fairly dry Winter, thanks to an impending El Niño, filled my heart with joy. I have never been a fan of Winter and this mindset was long before I began my walking regimen in 2011. For decades I took the bus to Downtown Detroit and waiting on a bus that was behind schedule due to snowy and frigid weather was no treat.
So, the El Niño forecast meant I could possibly walk daily all Winter. Yay!
Our Winter weather WAS great … until it wasn’t.
Unbelievably, snow was not the bane of my existence during this Winter of 2023-24; it was plain rain, some freezing rain and also seemingly never-ending rainy days. The siege of wacky weather began in mid-January after we had snow, then freezing rain, then a flash freeze, leaving an icy glaze on our city streets and of course my driveway and sidewalks. A Polar Vortex settled in and the temps were way too cold for road salt or ice melt products to work.
The weather woes persisted, even after the icy grip was loosened, with three more non-stop rainy days.
Finally, milder temps melted the ice, so the car and I could safely venture out of the garage without slip-sliding all over. That day was February 4th and I tucked my camera into my coat pocket and off we went.
Can a person bask in the sun in the dead of Winter?
Yes! Just feeling the sun on my face was wonderful and it sure was good to see my shadow again. I spent about an hour at Council Point Park feeding, then taking photos of my furry and feathered friends and watching a Canada Goose gingerly stepping onto the ice. I was surprised to see the Creek was still frozen over in places, but the walking path was ice-free. I will share those photos in a separate post.
I decided to drive to Lake Erie Metropark and see if the Sandhill Cranes stuck around for the Winter. I had visited that venue in mid-December and didn’t see them – in fact, I meandered those marshlands and left without a single photo.
Once inside Lake Erie Metropark, I slowed down at the Offshore Fishing Bridge, craning my neck for a sign of those Cranes, but I couldn’t see them. However, a couple of Mute Swans and lots of Canada Geese were in that narrow marsh area, along with some gorgeous reflections, so happily I pulled into the parking lot, hopped out and turned on the camera.
The sun was high in the sky, a wonderful sight to see …
…except, with my point-and-shoot camera I kept seeing my reflection in the camera’s window. Grrr. I decided I would make the best of it and really, was I going to complain about the sun after almost three weeks of gloomy, gray weather and a slew of rainy days? Nope!
The reflections from the Offshore Fishing Bridge were pretty.
Geese gathered at this narrow marsh area where ice still outlined the edges.
I climbed up the hill to see what I could see from the bridge. A few ducks and geese huddled together atop the ice on the other side of the bridge.
I then wandered back down the hill, closer to the shoreline and stood beside a big tree, grateful for the partial shadow, so I could take a few photos without the sun’s glare. Remnants of the Polar Vortex were more evident here as patches of ice still dominated the shoreline, while the middle of the marsh was almost ice-free.
These Canada geese and Mute Swans were contentedly paddling around.
I was not that close to the shoreline for the Mute Swans to take issue with me. Long-time followers may remember how I was taking pictures of a pair of Mute Swans, when the cob (male) angrily stomped up the creek bank and came after me, hissing and snorting. I headed him off by tossing peanuts his way and when he stopped to eat them, I vamoosed.
That was then; now I was enjoying a peaceful Sunday afternoon filled with waterfowl and, as I drank it all in, I realized just how badly I needed this nature outing.
But, this idyllic, sweet setting quickly turned sour.
A loud whir of wings told me swans were overhead – would they plunge down into the icy water and give me some photo ops? I certainly hoped they might, but the four Mute Swans circled above, then quickly disappeared over the woods.
But the old adage “be careful what you wish for” was certainly true, when moments later another pair of Mute Swans alerted me to their presence, once again with the unmistakable humming sound of their wings. I swiveled my head upward just as they descended, in an ungraceful landing. Instead of seamlessly descending onto the open water, the two interlopers came in fast and furiously; one hit the ice hard and the other landed right onto the pair of swans paddling together and minding their own business.
Suddenly, a blurry clash of white and loud noises ensued.
All of a sudden, there was a lot to SEE and HEAR from my vantage point in the tree trunk’s shadow. I was torn between watching the feathers flying with my eyes, or capturing the images with my camera, while shooting blindly with that pesky sun in my eyes. I did the best I could.
As this kerfuffle unfolded, several geese began honking and quickly took flight.
A few geese remained close to the action, but backed off a bit.
A loud bugle-like call alerted me that yes, the Sandhill Cranes were still in residence, so I swiveled my head toward the direction of the noisy calls, clear across the marsh and there they were, embedded in the dry reeds.
It was like the cranes and geese were watching “Fight Night” – all they needed was some popcorn!
Oddly enough, one swan seemed unruffled in the thick of the fray, as three other swans tangled nearby.
The fracas eventually ended at the shoreline, after one swan tried to get away, with the others in pursuit.
I stepped back as they got closer to me.
And this is how it ended up – it was “down for the count” for one poor swan, laid out on the ice, with one swan watching and another swan standing with its huge feet on top of it. This sight was disturbing to see.
I was aghast at the brutality of the fight and aftermath which had been ongoing for about five minutes. I shut the camera off at this point. Dare I look – was that one swan dead?
No worries, the interlopers flew away, as the seemingly wounded swan righted itself a few minutes later, paddling over to what I presume was its mate.
These Mute Swans, presumably the original pair, stayed in place and I got a few close-ups, which you’ll see for this week’s Wordless Wednesday.
I am joining Terri Webster Schrandt’s Sunday Stills Challenge for March 3, 2024 “Rainy Days”.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Swans like all animals do fight amongst themselves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was pretty ugly to see, especially when the swan was laid out on the ice and the one swan was standing on it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
they are ferocious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I was sure they killed that swan when I saw its lifeless body … the fact that the swan stood on that swan, was like “don’t mess with me” … I stepped back a bit remembering when the swan came after me snorting and hissing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Sunday Stills: #Rain, Rain, Go Away? – Second Wind Leisure Perspectives
Well, at least you talked about the rainy weather, Linda! If you have spent a lot of time avoiding rain, then taking pics of it is not fun, LOL! In any case, the show the swans and geese put on navigating the icy water was crazy! Lots of humor in the pics, but I’m glad the one was OK, I guess a little stunned. They’re also confused by the sunny day when it should be rainy 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that is true Terri. 🙂 Truly, I was stumped about rainy pics (and might be the same as to sunrise/sunset pics as well). There used to be a woman walker at the Park, same age as me and she thought it was terrible that I did not walk in the rain. She even said “how can you say you are an avid walker then?” I said “I took the bus from 1976 to 2009″ and always had an extra set of clothes at work, just for bad weather days. I don’t care if you have a heavy raincoat, a golf umbrella and waterproof shoes, getting to work soaking wet is not fun!” The freezing rain was bad this year. Swans can be drama queens sometimes, but this was over the top and seeing the swan laid out like that made me think it was a goner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yup, lots of rain for us in southern Ontario as well. The long stretch of gloomy days has been fairly depressing. We’re getting mild and sunny this week, though! 🙂
That was quite a show with the swan fight! Your photos captured the event so well. I’m glad the downed bird wasn’t hurt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We got to 75 F (23 C) here in Southeast Michigan today Debbie – that is unheard of for early March. We broke the old record by five degrees. It was nice to see the sun today as well – even when we got warmer weather, it was still gray and gloomy and rainy.
Thank you – the fight was really something to watch and I figured it would be over quickly and they’d go their separate ways, then they chased that poor swan. I thought it was hurt or dead, so I’m glad it was okay.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed your take on the prompt. Staying dry is a prerequisite to my endeavors with the rain too.
Yes, I remember when the cob angrily stomped up the creek bank and came after you, hissing and snorting. Thank goodness you didn’t end up like the Swan sprawled out on the ice or the ground with one of those stinkers poking and hissing at you!
That was quite the scene you captured. Wonder if it was smarting off and they had to set ’em straight? I’m glad the stunned swan seemed to be okay afterward.
I enjoyed your reflection photos – well composed. And the first photo looking up – very clever addition to the post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
[First of all, I did a reply, pushed Send and WP said “you cannot reply” then zapped my comment, then said “reply submitted” – no words.]
Anyway … thank you Shelley. I really like those reflections off the bridge and it was very sunny that day. Plus some reflections were on the ice which was nice. I guess it was lucky seeing the swan fight – I thought it would be over much more quickly, then they chased after that poor swan. I thought they hurt it or killed it. I was relieved it was okay. That goose looking up at the sky was honking very loudly and I notice they do that sometimes, look straight up at the sky, likely agitated about something, so I took the picture then and it had its beak closed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
WP can be so annoying!
You’re welcome. You lucked out with a calm day to get so many great photos. You have more experience seeing a goose in action than me, I’m thankful you share their antics in your photos clever words describing what they’re up to.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, what gives with that … I finished comments from yesterday and Sunday night, then it persisted in Reader, so I just shut the computer off at that point.
I am glad I went to that Offshore Fishing Bridge. I think the Sandhill Cranes hang out there – I saw them all last Summer. I hope they nest and I get to see a colt or two. You see Sandhill Cranes, Wild Turkeys and deer – so they are everyday critters to you. I am envious of your critter happenings. Did you have a trail cam up this Winter?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw quirky things in WP too. That’s my favorite solution when the computer isn’t behaving. 🤣
It’s fun to share critter/bird photos with each other. Yes, that would be fun to see the colts. We didn’t put out our trail cam this winter, it probably would’ve been a good year with the lower amount of snow. Sigh. Next year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This pair of Sandhill Cranes are always in this location grazing on the grass and reeds in the marsh, so I hope they do nest and there are colts and I get to see them. Well that’s a bummer about the trail cam … yes, next year for sure when we likely get blasted with snow twice as much as this year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Odds are in your favor you’ll see them this spring!
We better get the camera figured out while the weather is nice then! LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I hope so. I hope to get a few … maybe I should have put the “littles” on my Birdie Bucket List. Yes, try again for next year. See what you come up with!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰😎😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know how good that sun feels on your face on a cold winter day! ☀️ So does that goose looking up! The reflections you captured are beautiful and it was nice seeing so many Canada geese and ducks. What a disturbance of the peace those swans started. In nature, the competition for females can get pretty brutal. I’m glad the loser wasn’t permanently injured, hopefully only his pride. And this spring you will likely have a bunch of cute little cygnets to photograph, after all that drama.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nothing like feeling the sun on your face in the Wintertime and the plus was taking some long shadow pictures earlier at Council Point Park. Sometimes those dried-up reeds look nice in reflections, but that bridge with its unusual bricks and structure (that reminds me of a castle moat sometimes), made for some interesting reflections as well. Barbara, I was happy to see all the geese out and about as all the critters were hiding in December. The fight was pretty dramatic, but just when I thought it was done, they chased that poor swan, coming toward me. I hope to see some cygnets this Spring. I looked for them for many years, at several venues, before I finally saw three with their parents, but I’d like to see them close up, especially nestled in mom’s feathers on her back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow. I’ve seen swans fight off interloping swans. I wonder if it’s a territory thing, or what. I’ve never seen a swan standing on another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have seen geese and ducks fighting, but never swans and they were making a lot of noise as well. I thought it was over when the two started pursuing the one swan, then it was horrific to see it standing on that downed swan like that.
LikeLike
Wow! That was a kerfuffle!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It sure was nasty to see Kate … especially when one was down for the count!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a scene. Kind of like a staged fight just for you and your camera.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was both strange and horrific at the same time Ally. I was lucky to be there with the camera – a right place, right time sort of thing for me.
LikeLike
Holy cow! That must have been a sight to witness. I heard that swans – as beautiful as they are – can be quite nasty. I’m glad that one was able to rejoin its mate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it was horrific as it unfolded Janis. Swans are very mean. I was taking photos of a pair in the Winter a few years ago and the male stomped up the bank and came after me. I heard it snorting at the water’s edge but I thought it was because it had its head underwater looking for food. Later I learned that the snorting sound was agitation. I walked backward as it came stomping toward me, but it was snowy with some ice and I was worried I would fall, so I planned to stand on a park bench, then after I threw it peanuts and it stopped to eat them, I got out of there as quickly as I could. I was happy to see the bully swans leave and it got up on its own.
LikeLike
A wonderful adventure among the birdlife 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was the first swan fight I’ve seen Brian. The Canada Geese fight on land or in the water, then make up a few minutes later and Mallard duck fights are a bit brutal, but these bullying swans were really something. I was sure the one swan laying on the ice was a goner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looked brutal. Bully male asserting himself or the beaten one may have winked at the bullies woman. I guess swans are monogamous?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you are probably right about that – the bully was ticked off. They are very territorial this time of year as they get ready to nest and find a good nesting spot. Yes, swans are monogamous, just like the Canada geese, (for life, unless their mate dies).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the info 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome Brian.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That was something to see. Nature is interesting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it sure is Ruth. The brutality of those bully swans floored me, especially the one standing on the downed swan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s quite a bit of drama!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed! Bully birds attacking one of their own kind. I was sure they had killed the poor thing Eilene and was relieved when it got up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I enjoyed your use of “kerfuffle” and “fracas”. You need to have a pretty good fight to use those words. And it never seems birds get injured in these dust-ups so it was a surprise to read about the swan. Regardless, I find it fascinating how cold-blooded creatures can tolerate frigid water and temperatures. We had birds in Colorado who seemed to appear ONLY when it was close to or below zero, pecking away at the frozen ground. I have to say, we don’t miss those Colorado winters at all, Linda. There was a time when we tolerated the blizzards and subzero temps. Now we appreciate why people “fly south” later in life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like both those words Dave and had a good opportunity to use them here. 🙂 I guess birds are more resilient than they look, especially wild birds. It amazes me how they huddle together on the ice. I’ve gone to Heritage Park in the Winter and there are fifty+ Mallard ducks huddled together on the frozen lake under the covered bridge. For Winter I bought two 10-pound bags of corn, thinking I’d take some there and some to that duck pond with all the Mallards, but when the water at these venues would be frozen solid, I never got out of the driveway due to glaze ice. I have been looking at blizzard photos and videos from the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I am sure you had that type of weather every Winter when living in Colorado. I can see why you and others prefer to be ‘snow birds” when they retire too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not long now until the warmth returns
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank goodness for that Michael, although we have had some wacky weather – yesterday we broke a longstanding record and had 75F (23 C), but are expecting snow on the weekend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s all kinda crazy for sure
LikeLiked by 1 person
A nice variety of beautiful birds! I have never had much experience with these swans, so had no idea they would behave this way. You were in the right place at the right time to catch all the drama.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I was lucky to see this unfold Rebecca. They are beautiful birds, but I’ve seen them with a mean streak twice now. I was very worried the day the swan chased me and it was slippery walking backward to escape.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes. Beautiful photos, even of the fight. I’m glad the loser came out (mostly) in one piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Linda. I was sure that swan was a goner after the other swan stood on his body. Perhaps he was playing dead to avoid any more fighting?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s possible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love how beautiful swans are but I have never seen them fight like that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It turned out to be an ugly fight Diane – I was sure the one was a goner!
LikeLike
I love spring photos, snow melting, and when the red wing black birds show up and sing. One of my favorite things about spring. Great photos Linda. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sandra. I was surprised there was that much ice left, but it looked like all the waterfowl were enjoying a nice paddle when all the commotion happened. The sun shining so brightly sure made a difference that day. I like having the Red-winged Blackbirds back again, always a sign of Spring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those were great photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kirstin!
LikeLike
(Well finally I was able to reply Kirstin – this was my fourth try; WordPress was “having a moment” earlier tonight.)
LikeLike