Of Swans, Paths, and Trumpets

Published January 2, 2011

I finally made it back to the Bob Heirman Wildlife Preserve this morning.  Last time I was there was at sunset and the first 4 swans of the season (and the first swans I’ve ever seen in the wild) had just arrived.  Today I was blown away by a whole lake full of them.  I never really thought about the name before, but before I could even see them, I thought, oh, trumpeter swans!  Turns out tundra swans are very similar, but I still think these were trumpeter.  Amazing morning.  Crisp, cold, and beautiful.  Lots of hoar frost.  The lake was semi-frozen, and I chuckled out loud when I first caught sight of the swans walking around on the surface of the water; I would need video to show how they were prancing around.  Swans are Huge! I was mesmerized by the ease with which they flew out of the water – those are powerful birds.  Watched them until my fingers were frozen stiff and then walked the path to the river.

2011 is off to a great start for me; I hope it is for you too.