RE: Boyd Ponds SWA, Morgan County

[B K]

Howdy,

I took these photos last weekend at Boyd Ponds SWA with a happy band of mostly Boulder birders (CFO) who graciously included me.  It was my first ever outing with "real birders" as I'm a novice (I've only been birding for 5 years).   So -- I'm not sure if these are Tundra Swans or Trumpeter Swans -- and I will always defer to expert opinion (anyone other than mine)!  At the time, I thought they were Trumpeters as they seemed so similar to those I saw in Yellowstone NP two weeks earlier.   

I have to say that what I enjoy about this discussion is the learning and the grappling with identification -- which is why I bring a camera in the first place as it helps me learn.  Thank you for sharing "out loud" because it helps me get a little smarter!   I'm always open to bonus-learning -- we had such a great day together and I hope to join another such group in the future. 

https://picasaweb.google.com/109076502973383280668/BoydPondsSWAColoradoFebruary222014

Ben Kemena
Denver County

[Nick Komar]

I will throw my hat into this ring. Based on the photos I have seen I would argue for Tundra based on 1) developing yellow spot on the right side of the bill on one of the birds in Ben's photos, 2) dark black legs (should be greenish in Trumpeter), 3) vertical border at base of bill (not slanted back towards eye), and 4) high ride- i.e. The rear end is held at a 45 degree angle to the surface of the water; Trumpeters have a low ride (more like 20 degrees). 

Nick Komar

Fort Collins Co

Sent from my iPhone

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