Awesome capture. Looks like he got his feathers a bit ruffled as well :) Very nice composition, lighting, clarity and color. Excellent post and thanks for sharing this lovely.

Lovely shot! These are such graceful birds. Thanks for sharing it.

The contrast of lighting from the left to the right is so naturally taken that it points up the delicate, vibrant beauty of this bird's feathers...the way she's inclined her head and the fact that you (or should I say I) can't see her eye sets this on the side of the artistic instead of the realistic, although I'm sure there's a lot of debate as to the difference between the two....but she seems not so tangible as ethereal, which sets this post up against some of the very best I've seen in conveyance of feeling and beauty..technically speaking the color is outstanding, the DOF is impeccable and the clarity couldn't be better. I'd love to have this hanging on my wall. Everytime I look at it again, I have this lovely peaceful feeling. Thanks for posting this. in my faves :)PJ

Thanks for the comments, guys. It's funny how what we see as grace and beauty is actually meant as a threat. This guy/gal hauled some feathered tuckus across the pond and came right up to me, out of the water and everything, presumably to drive me off. I stood my ground and the bird, I think, was a little surprised and not quite sure what to do. That's when I got this shot. He/she is probably thinking, "He's not going away, now what do I do?"

Wonderful shot Rob. Like so many images it has to be seen full screen to appreciate. The swan probably viewed YOU as a threat. You really should get some cards printed up "Caedes Member" to pass out to such uncooth ruffians ... just might save YOUR tuckus a nasty welt or two down the line. :o)

That swan almost looks sad, like he's thinking of someone he missed. Great post!