The Tundra Swans were taking to flight just before sunset at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area when I shot this photo.  The setting sun was casting pink and blue hues in the sky that reflected onto the water.  I love that one of the swans is literally running across the water and you can see splashes from each step that the swan had taken as he/she prepared to fly.  Nature is amazing!

Every now and then you end up in the right place at the right time … just by accident.  On my last visit to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, I was walking down Willow Point Trail which is lined with wooded areas on the left and open fields on the right.  There were several Eastern Bluebirds flitting around the ground in the fields and so I took a few images, but unfortunately the birds were backlit by the sun and the lighting was not ideal.  Then, one of the birds flew right past me and perched in a tree on the edge of the woods not more than 15 feet away!  Whoo hoo!  Despite the shadow on the bird from the tree branch, I still love this image!

There were several Eastern Bluebirds flitting around the trees near the Lake at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area when I last visited.  They were quite a distance away and nestled among the branches of the leafless trees.  It was hard not to notice their brown/orange breast and vivid blue head, back and tail feathers.  This was my first time ever photographing an Eastern Bluebird and though the setting wasn’t anywhere near ideal, it was fun to try and keep up with them as they moved throughout the brush.