Hi Leroy, I have tone-mapped this image, sorry for the disappointment , but thank you for taking the trouble to leaving feedback on my work which I very much appreciate!

Sylvia...  By "manipulation" I did not mean "Eenhancement" which is sensational if all that was done was

tone balance.  By manipulation I meant taking several separate images of the swans and making a composite image.  If you shot this scene as an original single exposure, I'd say you are a patient, top notch photographer.... a-la Ansel Adams who waited for the right moment to capture an unusual and splendid event.  Either way, my comments were not meant to degrade your work but rather wonder out loud how you came to have such a great image.  Again, either way, this is a superb image.  I'd like to see more.

Leroy 

That is so sweet Leroy, thank you for that! I did wait for the moment as it happened! I find it quite hard actually. I hear them flap their wings and before it registers in my head to turn to take the shot? Usually I've missed it, lol! I do try to train my brain to be on the ready when I hear I look and try to grab it quickly? The same is when I want to photograph them flying as well as the Canada geese. I hear them before I see where they are and before I know it they've landed.

I do like to tone-map my work to bring out detail that can be lost in the highlights of the white wings or the black of their noses? Thanks again for all of your great comments which I appreciate very much,

Sylvia