Swans have massive, paddle-like feet. They come in handy when powering the bird into a takeoff, for swimming, and even during the landing, where they help with air braking and then skiing for a bit as the swan touches the surface of the water.
Trumpeter Swans, for the most part, will mate for life…and the pair will remain together year-round. They are beautiful, big birds that are one of the most graceful flyers I have ever seen. In this image, a pair of swans depart the marsh to feed in the surrounding fields. It’s common to see them leave … Read more
I’ve never been much into ballet or most classical music…although there are a few of the old songs that I like now and then. But ballet…no…sorry, it’s just not my thing. So when someone mentions Swan Lake, my thoughts turn, not to the stage, but to the marsh…in the spring…when the ice comes off and … Read more
A winter sunset with swans…what could be better? Well OK, maybe more swans but still… One of the good things about Iowa…if we have a mild winter…if certain pools of water remain open or reopen from an early ice up, the Trumpeter Swans seem to find them. And they’ll remain in the area for as … Read more
With the warmer, thawing weather, I came across about a hundred swans at Cone’s Marsh the other day. Trumpeters have no choice…if they want to fly…they have to run first. They’re big, heavy birds that take a lot of gusto to get airborne. You can hear the unmistakable slap of their wing tips on the … Read more
