This 10-minute video captures the sights and sounds of hundreds of Tundra Swans and Trumpeter Swans at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Washington State.

In February 2026, I spent three consecutive afternoons with the swans at the refuge’s River S unit. The weather was beautiful and the swans were magnificent.

On the third afternoon, as sunset approached and the swans were settling in for the night, Ruddy Lake suddenly lit up with a golden glow. For a few brief moments, the glow turned fiery orange.

Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone. I left the swans to their slumber, grateful for a lifetime memory.