I am not a bird photographer, but as a nature lover I certainly wanted to participate when a photography group I have joined went to the southern part of Sweden to welcome the cranes migrating back to Scandinavia. They will also come to my village, together with a lot of Whopper Swans. It was very nice to see all these birds who are resting at the lake of Hornborgasjön before flying into the Scaninavian wilderness to nest.
Bente Haarstad Photography 
They look like they’re talking to each other. Such beautiful birds.
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I am sure they are talking to each other. So much communication going on. Your should have heard all those sounds, and body language too. Thanks, Tuxedo.
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How lucky to visit Sweden and see these birds in large numbers, Bente.
Your photos are lovely (despite you saying you’re not a bird photographer).
Thanks for sharing.
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It was a great experiemce, Vicki. I have heard about this lake were the migratring birds rest going north, but never been there. it is almost 900 km drive, each way. Worth it, absolutely. Thanks.
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Thanks for the photos, coming from one who is a birder and has only been to England to view european species. I, for one would be pleased to see more photos if you take them. Whooper Swans are one of my favorites!
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You are a birder too, Ancientfoods, that is impressive (too)! I hope to post more photos if I get the time, but probably more of the cranes then. There are some more to be seen on: http://www.bentehaarstad.no. Whooper swans are fantastic (like the cranes), both species are arriving in my village area now, but try to get near them…
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Thank you, I look forward to any photos you post!
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They’re gorgeous, Bente! Glad you gave it a shot. (Lame pun.)
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Yes, gave it a shot, no shot gun though (lame pun too). Thanks a lot for your comment, Bachelorette.
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I love the cranes! I’ve seen them do their mating dance. They look magnificent!
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There were thousand of cranes doing their mating dance by this lake, Anneli. It was such an experience. There are a lot of cranes in my neighboorhood during spring and summer (arriving now), but it is impossible going near them, too shy. Thanks.
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For someone who says he’s not a bird photographer (and I understand what you mean!), you’ve sure done a beautiful job here. Marvelous photos!
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Don’t have these incredible long and expencive lenses that a bird photographer should have, Susan, but who cares. it was an incredible experience and I tried to bring some of it home. And to pass it on. Thanks a lot, and by the way; it is she…
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Who cares is right! I know what you mean about those lenses, too. You brought us very much up close to the experience with your fine eye and the equipment on hand.
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Reblogged this on Journey Of A Nifty Day Trader and commented:
Fabulous Bente.
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Thanks a lot, Sureba67.
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It’s great to see them in good numbers!
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Yes, isn’t it. And even in incredible numbers. Thanks, Montucky.
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I have always loved your bird photos
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Ooh, that is very sweet of you. Thank a lot, brightlife.
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Wonderful, beautiful birds! You took such lovely pictures of them, too!
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I agree about beautiful birds, certainly. Thanks a lot for your comment, Gunta.
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Wonderful pictures and birds. I’m a little bit jealous 😉
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Look up, they are probably flying above your head, in the spring and in the autumn. Thanks, Jaap.
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Gorgeous shots of two magnificent bird species, which both are both elegant in their own way.
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Yes, so elegant. Thanks, Jetroda.
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These are lovely photos! Here on the West Coast of Scotland we are saying goodbye to our Whooper Swans. They will return to Iceland and Greenland any day now. It is rather sad to see them heading north – but we eagerly await the swallows and cuckoos.
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Aha, so that is were they are during winter. You’ll get them back late in the autumn, I promise. Thanks for your comment, Lottie.
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Love the cranes. I understand they come in great numbers to southern Sweden in spring. Here in Norfolk, England we have a few too although they are hard to track down.
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Hard to track down, tell me about it. Because after southern Sweden they fly north, and it is 117 cranes in my village now, accordin to one expert. They rest in the village while they wait for the snow to melt in the mountains, and I have tried to track them down here before. No chance, have to go to Hornborgasjön.
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Looks very exciting shooting location !
I never be good sitting and waiting (for bird photography) = rather like to walk and encounter.
Hence, I chose botanical photography of which the subject has no leg or wing (to run away). 😀
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Hahaha, now I know why I usually chose botanical photography too, which I really do. My only chance to get a bird in my lens is to go to a place were there are more than 20.000 of them, in one field. Which I did. Thanks, Yoshizen.
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Our cranes are coming back to us now also. Great photos! Even for a non bird photographer. .. 😉
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Thanks, Plant Girl, enjoy your cranes.
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These are full of energy. I can sense the noise and activity of these birds. Great shots.
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I am glad you can hear the noise, because there is really a lot of it. Thanks for your nice comment, Draco.
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Very nice to see so much of this birds, stunning photos Bente!
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Thanks a lot, Ann.
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Lots of posturing going on vying for space .. I imagine it to be very noisy somehow ..
Lovely pictures Bente .
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i love the swans and the cranes. Well done Bente
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It’s beautiful to see the swans and cranes.
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gorgeous!
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I love the second one, they´re looking at each other just like if the others were not there.
Jota.
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Must have been an impressive sight (and sound) being in situ. The pics are great.
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WOW! Amazing photographs… Thank you dear Bente, Love, nia
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So beautiful.
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They are beautiful!
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PS: And thank you for the very, very diplomatic correction on gender . . .
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Beautiful images… they look really elegant 🙂
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You may not be a bird photographer, but you can sure photograph birds! What an amazing site!
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I love how you’ve captured the movement of the birds’ necks. It seems to be the essence of the swans.
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Any idea what the white birds are? Swans..geese? The are super cool ! Love your captures Bente.
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OH got it..Whooper Swans. Never heard of them. They are beautiful.
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I love the swans, I see them in Finland when I visit. I haven’t seen those gorgeous cranes before.
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Amazing, what an experience! They have an elegance our Canadian geese lack. : )
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These are great! Not only are they excellent captures of the physical forms of the birds, look how you have captured their expressions and personality!
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I like it that you can enjoy their expressions too. Thanks, it was a pleasure watching and photographying all these birds.
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Cranes spend the winter in the south of Spain. Cranes are as impressive as swans. Un abrazo.
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My plan is to do a post about the cranes too. Yes, I know the spend the winter i Spain. Then they rest in Sweden, and then the come to my village. Some of them. It is an impressive bird with an impressive migration. Thanks, Antonio.
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Bente, looks like a human migration happening on your series on the cranes. Not bad for a reluctant bird lover. Wonderful captures friend!
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It is great to have an reluctant bird lover to enjoy the wild swans. Thanks, Shabnam.
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I so enjoyed this series!
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I am glad you did, Vastly Curious.
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Fantastic photos, Bente. You did a great job of capturing the ruckus!
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Thanks a lot, Jet Eliot.
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superb scenes! Bravo 🙂
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Every spring I see the cranes flying over my part of the Netherlands. Verry impressing and a real happening.
Now I can think … Oh, they are going to Bente.
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Yes, and I can think, they have passed your house on the way north. Now they will soon fly south again.
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Hi Bente, did the cranes leave already, or not? I wonder if I can look to the sky to see them or that it is still to early.
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I can still here them in my village. But some may have gone. Just keep looking to the sky. 😉
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