We drove north on the Great River Road along the Mississippi River in December to see the Tundra Swan flock which had lingered in the area because of a warm December. Normally the Tundra Swan flock heads east to the lower Chesapeake Bay area around Thanksgiving. This Mississippi Tundra Swan flock is one of three main flocks with an inter-mountain west flock and west coast flock. The Mississippi Tundra Swans fly non-stop from the Arctic to the Mississippi River about 100 miles north of the MN/IA border and then linger to rest and eat before then flying non-stop to the lower Chesapeake Bay area on the Atlantic coast. The Swans move from one feeding spot to another along the Mississippi but the Reno area is near their southern limit before heading east. North American Tundra Swans are also known as the Whistling Swan sub-specie. Folks from around the mid-west come to the area to see the fall Tundra Swan migration.
A small part of the swan flock near shore with Canadian Geese flying over and American Wigeons and Coots among the swans:
One Tundra Swan standing near shore:
My best effort to photograph the most Tundra Swans in one picture:
An expansive view of the Mississippi River Valley at Reno, MN, in early winter colors with the Wisconsin Mississippi River bluffs on the far side:
A muskrat swimming past several Tundra Swans visible left of the left swan:
Tundra Swans resting in shallow water:
View north up the Mississippi River Valley from the dam at Lock and Dam Number 8 with the Minnesota river bluffs on the left:
A small part of the swan flock near shore with Canadian Geese flying over and American Wigeons and Coots among the swans:
![gallery_5179_728_4432108.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2Fgallery%2Falbum_728%2Fgallery_5179_728_4432108.jpg&hash=421d8e0580ba6ddf9d4f33e37b706cdc)
One Tundra Swan standing near shore:
![gallery_5179_728_3268815.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2Fgallery%2Falbum_728%2Fgallery_5179_728_3268815.jpg&hash=2be06632a7e14cd3f01fcbc6fe3bd22e)
My best effort to photograph the most Tundra Swans in one picture:
![gallery_5179_728_1364700.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2Fgallery%2Falbum_728%2Fgallery_5179_728_1364700.jpg&hash=f9250e064a719ebc52761cb8a719e592)
An expansive view of the Mississippi River Valley at Reno, MN, in early winter colors with the Wisconsin Mississippi River bluffs on the far side:
![gallery_5179_728_3198741.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2Fgallery%2Falbum_728%2Fgallery_5179_728_3198741.jpg&hash=3e92517cff0105391661c34f8c641807)
A muskrat swimming past several Tundra Swans visible left of the left swan:
![gallery_5179_728_1896872.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2Fgallery%2Falbum_728%2Fgallery_5179_728_1896872.jpg&hash=f54526ab0d41f3f919afec335aeb1081)
Tundra Swans resting in shallow water:
![gallery_5179_728_2263147.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2Fgallery%2Falbum_728%2Fgallery_5179_728_2263147.jpg&hash=944770092458d1fda21b43bc9831e87e)
View north up the Mississippi River Valley from the dam at Lock and Dam Number 8 with the Minnesota river bluffs on the left:
![gallery_5179_728_1843685.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wanderthewest.com%2Fforum%2Fuploads%2Fgallery%2Falbum_728%2Fgallery_5179_728_1843685.jpg&hash=d9f49cdae1635168ae22257244be47eb)