This painting captures the Tundra Swan during its epic migration, one of the longest of any waterfowl. I focused on their grace as they funnel up the Susquehanna River in late winter. Their journey is a testament to endurance, and I wanted to reflect the critical role this migration plays in their lifecycle.

The Tundra Swan makes one of the longest migrations of any waterfowl. The migration is a protracted one, with the birds spending time at several stopovers along their route as winter conditions recede northward. The swans make this migration twice a year, spring and fall, spending nearly half their lives in migration between breeding and wintering grounds. In late winter, Tundra Swans begin funneling up the Susquehanna River drainage, which is an historic gathering and staging area for these birds. Spring migration is a critical time in the life cycle of the Tundra Swan, and the nutrients provided by agricultural lands help fuel the long northward migration and provide the reserves needed for successful nesting.