Friday, January 23, 2009

WHITEOUT and A VISION OF SWANS


Even though the sun was bright, the day was cold and very windy, creating shifting and whiteout conditions. I turned from the keyboard and sat with my elbows on the little side table, watching the white swirls and eddies at the window. Out on the lake the sky was losing blue fast as the wind whipped the loose snow upward. Something caught my eye - several dark spots, navigating the blank space in tandem. I followed them, wondering if they were some small dark birds being buffeted around, trying to stay together. Then, as the snow thinned, I saw the hint of much larger white wings, and then the dark birds I’d been watching revealed themselves to be the heads and feet…of swans! For a brief few seconds, I saw them bank a turn and show me their full out-stretched splendor, and then, just as quickly, the wind veiled the entire scene, and the swans disappeared as they flew.

Even if I’d had my camera right there at the ready, I doubt I would have been able to capture that fleeting moment, so the photo above of the tundra swan is from Wikimedia Commons.

Also, I know there are some places not too far away from me that have open water all winter, even in a cold spell such as we’ve been having, and swans do stay there, so I know the swans I saw could certainly have been "real." At least I think so...

16 comments:

Sylvia K said...

What an amazing sight that must have been! Maybe it was a beautiful vision, but whatever, it had to have given you a glow for moment. Have a great weekend, Deborah.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Swans are just so gorgeous. I always wonder how the birds make it through a harsh winter. But they seem to be able to do it!!!!

Thanks for the picture even if you didn't take it. Stay warm!!!
Hugs,
Betsy

Great Grandma Lin said...

how fun to have nature out your office window. I have seen some ducks once and a little bunny.

Avid Reader said...

your descriptions are wonderful

the swans are year-round in Prospect Park in Bklyn, and it gets fairly cold and the water freezes over.

have you ever read The Perfection of the Morning by Sharon Butala?

Kim said...

Lovely descriptions of what is happening in you backyard. I love swans and am happy to hear they still have some un frozen water to go to.

Shelley said...

It does warm the heart to see the swans and I'm glad yours found a bit of unfrozen water!

bobbie said...

I'm sure they were real. What a lovely thing to see.

I took advantage of the one really nice day in the midst of freezing ones that keep me in, and drove up to Lily Lake today. there is much ice, but some open water, and it was full of swans and ducks.

Cloudia said...

"...day was cold and very windy, creating shifting and whiteout conditions. I turned from the keyboard and sat with my elbows on the little side table, watching the white swirls and eddies at the window."

Wonderful! Aloha-

SandyCarlson said...

This is a wonderful post. I love when moments like this come to the window and beckon. Delightful. So private and quiet. Thanks for bringing us in.

me ann my camera said...

I think you have described your sighting much better than a camera could have. It sounds like a wonderful sighting!

Thank you for the gracious adjectives you left in your comment relating to my Starling creation.

Kathie Brown said...

Real or dream, I'll take it!

Indrani said...

Lovely post, Deborah!
It must have been a stunningly beautiful sight to see the swans fly out like that. Your words made me visualize that.

magiceye said...

wow! must have been an awwsome experience ...

Anonymous said...

Hi Deborah,
I enjoyed reading your moving experience. Swans are so graceful. That photo is lovely, the tilt of the swan, and even the background. Hope you do catch a photo yourself one of these days.

hitch writer said...

He/she looks so beautiful and proud ! Poised !

lovely post, really brought the whole scene in front of me... suddenly i feeel brrrr...

Quiet Paths said...

This is one of those instances where if you had looked away for a second perhaps you might have doubted what you saw. An apparition caused by wind, cloud and snow....very nice.