Trumpeter swans are just beginning to migrate to central Vancouver Island in communities like Comox , Courtenay and Duncan, B.C. These are North America's largest waterfowl and one of its rarest native birds. Trumpeters once flourished over much of the continent, but by the early 1900s were brought to the brink of extinction by hunting. In recent decades, Trumpeters have begun a comeback and now have the potential to reoccupy much of their former range. By mid-February the farmers fields, lakes and ponds will be filled with the 2,000 swans that make their way to Vancouver Island every winter. I plan to go back when the swan migration reaches its peak. These are my first shots with the Tamron 200-400mm lens. I had to keep the aperture at at least 8 to ensure enough details came through. The auto focus was not as slow as I read, but you definitely need a tripod, even below 300mm, because the lens is very heavy.