Expecting Nothing
March 21, 2011 
The alarm rang reminding me that we've changed to daylight savings. The morning was still dark.
The calendar declared it official. Today marks the first full day of real spring.
But the radio - it told of a different story. A one that forecasted winter snow and sleet and miserable and cold rain.
Would have..could have been so easy. All I had to do was to pull those covers up and over my head...declaring this day a one not worthy of getting myself up that early and out of bed. So rarely do I ever offer that up to myself as a possibility. Always something somewhere calling my name.
The bed was warm. The day was grey. And - without any great hope or expectation..I rose to meet it. The snow continued to fall...creating an unexpected sugar coating. And the swans that had returned in search of spring and nesting..must have needed to fly and search for higher dryer grounds.
Their grace and beauty never ceases to astound. Their beating wings take my breath away - their sound and their fury.
I expected nothing...but - oh - look what I found.
Reader Comments (51)
Marcie. Marcie. I hope you are going to submit this somewhere. That sounds so gold, but this photo is incredible. The soft colors. The snow. The red beaks. The composition. The shape of their wings. Shall I go on?
Maybe we should all expect nothing more often!
I think you found perfection :-)
That is one stunning photograph, absolutely stunning!
What a great reward for leaving the warm bed. It was really worth it – this capture is awesome!
I don't know what to say anymore Marcie - your work conveys so many emotions, so much beauty, so many thoughts. Outstanding work as always.
maybe i should lower my expectations....as i pretty much expect at least one something wonderful to happen everyday....
breathtaking. really, be very proud of this one marcie.
A beautiful photograph - just perfect!
Beautiful photo Marcie...
What a great photo! Outstanding!
oh yes, so worth it. just gorgeous. but i know exactly what you mean, sometimes, it would be nice to just be lazy.
Oh, oh, oh! The beauty made me tear up a little. What a reward for meeting the day.
A magical moment that you managed to capture so well. Beautiful--and you certainly have the right to be proud of this one!
What a beautiful reminder that beauty is all around - we just have to open ourselves to it.
Quelle grâce !
J'aime beaucoup la manière de ce traitement, on dirait une gravure ancienne.
beautifully composed capture
we'll switch to daylight savings next sunday
Beautiful one ! Love the movement, well done.
you found the Marcie i know and love!!! just gorgeous!!!
This is the most beautiful shot. I live near a lake with resident swans on it and the most magical thing is to have them fly over you - their wings literally sing. I'm stunned by this wonderful image.
We change to daylight saving March 27th (over the weekend) It is so nice. It means the official start of spring even id there are going to be set backs with snow and cold weather. Great capture Marcie!
very good timing. Like it a lot
So dreamy and peaceful...makes me feel like I'm there...very nice job!
A truly wonderful capture!!!! You couldn't have gotten the swans placement any more perfect. A gem!
Spectacular!!
This is a beautiful shot of these graceful birds. The falling snow makes an impressive background.
stunning...absolutely stunning!!
Lovely image, with the various wing positions and the falling snow. Interestingly enough, I'm working at consciously lowering my expectations.
Delighted that you managed to heave yourself out of the scratcher...the picture's magnificent.
This is just stunning with a perfect timing! Well done.
What an oustanding way to celebrate getting out of bed on a gray, snowy, sleety day! Excellent shot!
très belle image pleine de poésie
Oh Marcie...oh my oh my....this image goes right into my heart. Simply exquisite...
So graceful. Looks as if they put forth very little effort. (of course we know differently)
so beautiful.
Stunning shot Marcie--so glad you chose the path less cozy.
Wonderful catch Marcie.
Wonderful shot Marcie! Spectacular light and atmosphere.
Wonderful! I love every pixel of this one! I can hear their wings making that typical sound.
"It never rains in California!"... HA!!! It's been really chilly and poured cats and dogs, Sunday, and snowed big time in the mountains. More is predicted for the rest of this week. So...who's got our Springtime?? This is a fabulous capture...simply perfect!!
This is stunning! Love the falling snow.
You are an expert in capturing these flying geese :) Wonderful image !
beautiful image, Marcie. well done!
Stunning. I'm so glad you got out of bed:)
These swans are fantastic!! I have been looking for birds in flight for a long time but either never have the camera when they set off, or never have birds around when the camera is in hand. You have captured them very well (as the above comments attest) and the snow has added a really elegant effect to the whole scene.
Thank you for sharing!
incredible - perfection for sure
it's just so beautiful to see how graceful they are.. nice catch..
Beautiful Shot Marcie! love this. esp. like the brightness of their wings even through the snow.
What a wonderful composition you made here Marcie! I love the swans in this bad weather!! Great shot !!
Wow! This shot blows my mind! I love it!
Lovely photograph of the swans (and in flight with the snow at that!); people often forget the challenges of photographing in the elements and the sacrifice with cold and equipment. Well captured!