UWOL# 9: "Abigail" by: Brian McKay
 

As always my objective was to have fun and avoid showing you anymore ice and snow. I succeeded in having fun and think I avoided the ice as well.

The pond which locally is called Swan Lake is about a five minute walk from my door. It’s seems to be a staging area for the Swans, at times there can be as many as 100 birds feeding, however if you were to go there now all you’d see is a small pond void of any life.

Shot with the XL2 using a variety of lenses up to a 500mm.

Just incase you were wondering, yes Abigail is a real swan and the trip she makes to get here is real.

Brian

Hello Brian:

WAY COOL. I think this is your best. Everyone is getting really good at this because I'm saying this to just about everyone, and I mean it.

How in the world did you know when Abigail left? The exact dates sited from Maryland on the way to Alaska threw me. What beautiful birds and interesting narrative. I was captivated through to the end. Nice Brian, keep it up!

Cat

No snow or mud? Hmmm is this really film in you area ;)
Nice film Brian, cool that you focused on one bird, is it the one we se too or?
I think that you could have done something more with the map, it’s a huge area.
The sound is really low so I hade to pull the volume up… but I forgot to turn it down after…

Hi Brian,

Yes, I think this is one of your best entries.

I really enjoyed the whole educational trip you took us on - which I think you explained so well. I especially liked the use of the map, which really reinforced the magnitude of Abigail's flight and supported your narration really well.

Nice variety of shots, particularly watching the cobs sorting out the hierarchy and also some of the flight shots.

All up, I really enjoyed watching. Well done.

As other has mention this was a very informative and nice film Brian! You did very well with this on and not any snow or ice in sight! Strange how you almost can set your watch to this birds! One of your best films so far, keep up your good work!

Hello Brian,

I can't imagine there being anymore information online than what you provided in that short amount of time! You really packed it in.

The swans don't look extraordinarily big....until they raise up and flap their wings. They're beautiful.

Thanks for the glimpse and the information. Like I said in another post, I feel like I'm in wildlife school. :)

Final I get to see your piece of the world without ice, snow and howling wind!

Good shots of the Swans...considering you used a 500mm lens, they must be hard to get.

Very informative...I, once again, learned something new. I thank you for that.

I also would like to know how Abigail is tracked so well.

Keep up the good work!

Bob

Brian,

No snow? Can I have my money back?

A charming story. I too am intriguied how you know which one is Abigail - they all look the same to me!

There's some great shots in there. You caught the swans landing on the water, which is somethig I love - and totally failed to capture for UWOL#8 when five of them landed directly BEHIND me!

I liked the little dance (was it a mating ritual?) at around 1:24, but a couple of those shots seemed a bit interlaced for some reason.

You have a good, natural voiceover, which matches the story well. And no need for music, just listen to the honking of those swans!

Well done.

Brian,

That water looks almost warm enough to swim in. Great shots. I also tlike your VO. It was very informative and interesting.

Oliver

Hi Brian
I always learn something from your video's..To think you have all this 5 min walk from your front door...thanks for sharing

Hi Brian,

I see the summer has finally arrived in your part of the world too.
This was quality work! Maybe (one of) your very best so far.
You told an interesting story, and I learned something new. Thank you!

Wish I had such long lenses as you have used here.
I guess that makes it a little bit easier to get close enough.

The sound level was very low. Turn it up a little, and everything is perfect.

I look forward to your future videos.

Brian,

I have enjoyed all your prior efforts! However this is my favorite!! What a great story!! I would love to see a uncompressed version!!! I will definitely go on line to follow her story!! Does she have a satilite transmitter on her??
We get staging swans by the hordes here on our local lake every fall and spring!! I love seeing them!!

you have some nice shots of them and behavior we never get to see!!! Is she down on eggs at present??

Great job!!