An early morning start and a 6 hour drive joined me with four friends and others in a small area along the Mississippi River to photograph trumpeter swans.

I could hear them as I parked my car, their voices constantly squacking at one another.

The light was the typical Midwest winter gray shade but the action was constant on the ground near the water and in the water itself, where the swans ate heartily.
But there is more to the story than this. The swans rely inthe generosity of Sheila Lawrence, Aka the Swan Lady for their food. As far as I knew I was coming to this place to photograph swans. I came away with their story, Sheila’s story, her neighbor Rich’s story .. And a hope to help.

The story of Sheila and the reason that the swans have
remained here, thus reliant on her generous care, can be read here here. This is an incredible success story about the swans plight and their comeback.

I have been in contact with Sheila and have committed to donating a portion of proceeds from any of my swan images from Monticello to corn to help feed these beautiful creatures.

My iPhone helps me to document events along the way with snapshots. Please see snap shots below.

the long drive to Monticello

Me and Friend, James Cowell.

friends Mary Kossik, Rich Phalin, and James Cowell

The swans

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