Digital, 2022.
A lone swan stands on a frozen Lake Ontario during golden hour in winter.
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Digital, 2022.
Swans greet each other and look for food on a frozen Lake Ontario during a sunny, winter afternoon.
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Digital, 2022.
A collection of some of my favourite images from this winter season. The lake was partially frozen which gave the illusion that the swans were walking on water. I was also happy with the branches in the scene as I could use them to naturally frame the photos.
I consider these photos another example of being at the right place at the right time. For example, I thought the swans looked like they were dancing in the third image. And in the fourth, I was really pleased with the way the branches perfectly framed not only the swans approaching the viewer but the ones in the background, as well. This wintery landscape didn’t last long either, so I’m glad I took these photos when I did.
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Digital, 2022.
Another series of images of swans by Lake Ontario during winter. During our previous visit, we fed them peas and they seemed to like that enough. But did they ever go crazy for the bird feed! It allowed them to become comfortable with us around and it allowed me to get close to them to snap a few photographs.
The fifth image is my favourite. The combination of the sunlight on the blue water and the swan spreading its wings feels so magical. In that moment, the swan started flapping its wings and I just started snapping photos, hoping that one of them would capture the moment. My brother turned to look at me and asked excitedly, “did you catch that?!” I replied, “I sure hope I did!” I was so relieved when I got home and saw that the shot I adored out of that burst was crisp and in focus. Sometimes you really do need to be at the right place at the right time.
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Digital, 2022.
There were so many swans here on this gorgeous, winter day. We fed them some bird friendly food (don’t feed birds bread as it’s not good for them. We opted for peas before purchasing specially made bird feed) and they quickly became comfortable with being around us. I wouldn’t have been able to take these photos had it not been for the food.
I remember this one sweet swan that came close to me, waiting for me to feed it. I ran out of peas but I swear, the puppy dog eyes this swan gave me were unreal. It kept looking at my phone in my hands, possibly thinking it was something to eat, and I felt terrible knowing I had nothing to give. After a few moments of soulful looks from the swan, it eventually realized I had nothing to offer and it swam off to join its friends. The action was so human that I couldn’t help but laugh.
All in all, I’m very pleased with how these photos turned out. I was so ecstatic taking them and I couldn’t wait until I could go home to review them and begin editing. The position of the sun and the slight haze of the clouds allowed for the most gorgeous lighting. The way light was glittering on the water’s surface was so captivating and made the scene look so magical when it became a backdrop for the swans. That burst of energy I get from an excellent photo taking session is so motivating!
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Digital, 2022.
Some winter landscape photos taken by Lake Ontario on a sunny afternoon. Winter days like this are my favourite kinds of winter days: where the sky is blue and the sun is out in full force. It can be very deceiving on cold days, though. On this day, it was definitely very decieving!
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Digital, 2022.
A trio of swans swimming amongst other birds during a cold afternoon by Lake Ontario.
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Digital, 2022.
A group of swans during winter on the blue waters of Lake Ontario.
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Digital, 2022.
A row of swans swim across a partially frozen Lake Ontario during golden hour on a chilly, winter evening.
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Digital, 2022.
If you read my previous post, I mentioned that my next would contain the sunset from that same evening. What I was expecting was definitely not a sunset this vibrant. I ended up shooting these photos at another spot a little ways off. To get down to the shore to achieve that, I had to go down a steep and snowy hill. I’m so glad I wasn’t alone as that made the trek easier lest I fall on my face into the snow.
When I looked up at the landscape before me, I felt like the main character in a movie. It was so unreal, I couldn’t believe it. I was also really relieved I had this vantage point, as I wouldn’t have been able to see the sunset in its entirety like this had I stayed in my original spot. Shout out to my brother who found this area while I stayed to take photos in the other one!
When the swans came out to play, I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. A vibrant sunset and two swans playing around in the lake? How lucky was I? I really wanted to get a photo of the both of them above the water but it’s almost as if they were teasing me. When one would resurface, the other would lower its head into the water. After a while, the sunset faded enough that there was no point in waiting any longer. But even so, I was far from disappointed!
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Gina Staios Photography 