The Trumpeter Swans arrived about three weeks ago. They are part of the Pacific Coast population, and every year they spend several weeks in the interior of B.C. resting and feeding before they fly to their northern summer breeding grounds. It is an exciting time of the year in which we have an opportunity to observe and enjoy these beautiful birds.
As soon as they come out of the water, they shake themselves and begin preening.
Sometimes their head and neck feathers are stained, "a result of feeding in areas rich in iron salts" Hinterland Who's Who.
7 comments:
Those are very interesting photos. With that amount of snow/ice still around what do the swans eat?
I came back to say thanks for the further info about the swans. Also I had a browse back through your past posts and you live in a very beautiful place. Many years ago I canoed around the Bowren Lakes which I see is south of St George. It was a truly memorable trip!
Nice shots April. You live in a beautiful part of the planet. :)
April,
Very nice shots...I havent ever seen them with the stained necks.
Nice captures of the Trumpeter Swans April. I have never seen them with the reddish stained neck and head. Very interesting indeed.
Nice shots of the Trumpeters, April! That's pretty cool that you get to enjoy them for a few weeks each year as they move northward. I can't believe y'all still have so much snow and ice around, though. Hopefully you'll thaw and begin to see an influx of spring migrants soon!
I love all birds, but swans have to be one of my favorites!!! Beautiful photos you got of them!
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