Tag: swan

More from the Wharfe

Otley Carnival today, and while we were waiting, we decided to feed the ducks on the River Wharfe. I didn’t get many shots as the swans were in a feisty mood, not only fighting the ducks for the bread, but each other. Plenty of hissing going on. I guess they were feeling a bit neglected today.

Swan

The ducks must have felt a bit hungry too as they came a little closer than usual today.

Duck

Now the carnival is over, I’m sure life will get back to normal and they’ll soon be feasting on the scraps of Otley’s loaves once more.

The Swan

Wharfe Meadows Park in Otley runs along the edge of the River Wharfe. Apart from the usual local council style gardening that seems to be unique to the UK, there is a children’s play area, skate park and of course, the river bank. Ducks, gulls and pigeons swim and fly up and down alongside the bank in the hope of bread.

Despite the cold, it was quite sunny today, so the park was busy and the birds weren’t going for the bread; they must have had their fill by the time we got there. Then came a pair of swans who went for it. I took a couple of shots, of which this one really stood out. I adjusted the exposure in View NX to -0.3 and the water turned black, isolating the swan. Just what I wanted.

mute swan

So graceful, they ate and then swam on.