A fitting end to 2023
On the last day of this year, the migrating tundra swans, holding over in the Mississippi River near the Minnesota/Iowa border, finally took to the skies to continue their journey to their wintering grounds on the east coast. They have been lingering here in Minnesota very late this year because the weather has been unseasonably warm. Now somehow they must know that winter is finally showing up and it won’t be long before the inland waters freeze solid this time. The Raptor Resource web cam captured the exodus of the swans today - perfectly showcased against the backdrop of the bluffs:
They leave behind the bald eagles who will spend the winter on the river traversing up and down it in search of food and open water.
Thanks to inches of rain that fell on Christmas weekend, the Mississippi River water level is finishing the year on a high note after a very warm and dry summer.
As always nature provided many gifts and stories throughout the year of which I am most grateful. And today left us with a fitting end to the year….Good-bye Swans….Good-bye 2023!
So beautiful! Thank you for sharing the swans taking flight!