Comment: These Whooper Swans took flight from the Kotoku Pond one winter morning, but as I tracked them across the sky, the sun flooded into the lens. I was worried that flare would maybe ruin the shot in this last frame of a short burst, but it turned out to be the best of the series. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. Lens: 300m F2.8
This photo is sublime! It took my breath away when I saw it. The tracery of the branches in the background, the golden umber lighting, the graceful flight of swans…. wow!