Trumpeter swan, Newcastle, Ontario
In 1886, a hunter shot the last of Ontario's known trumpeter swans over Long Point on Lake Erie. Nearly a century later, biologist Harry Lumsden and the Trumpeter Swan Society began to reintroduce them to areas on the Canadian shores of Lake Ontario, and now there are well over 1,500 living here.
Trumpeter swans are NOT related to the mute swans I told you about on January 5th in this post. In fact, trumpeter and mute swans don't get along. While trumpeter swans are tolerant of other species of waterfowl such as mallards, they dominate mute swans, evicting them from their breeding territories.
Swan watching ME!
This swan seems to be living alone for the winter. A local fisherman told us this bird was so lonely that it actually sat beside him one day while he was fishing.
Tag number 907
Yellow wing tags mark Ontario's trumpeter swans. Tags help ornithologists track the swans' movements, population growth, range and habitat.
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35 comments:
You can almost see the water lapping at its feathers in the middle photo.
Oh, poor lonely swan...
Gorgeous shots!
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Very interesting information about this lovely critter!
The pictures are also great, mainly that close up, the first one is magnificent!
Léia
Sammy the Swan sure is a handsome fella! Nice snaps!
I love trumpeter swans. Why would anyone want to shoot the last few of these beautiful birds. Its really good that they are now back.
A magnificant creature.
Darla
Aren't they pretty. the Valley here is full of them during the winter. Only one rarely sees them in a pond because they are foraging in the cornfields and playing in the mud. MB
I've never head of Trumpeter swans. (or mute swans) We have Trumpeter hornbills in Sout Africa. Thaks for sharing this lovely bird with us.
This is a beautiful swan but a little sad to think it is lonely in the wild. Interesting if it really did seek human comfort. Fortunately, it probably has no predators and is very relaxed.
They are actually gorgeous!
Interesting. I can imagine how amused the fisherman was.
These are beautiful photos of the swan. Perhaps he was lonely and wanted to sit by you for a while. I'm glad the Trumpeter Swans were re-introduced to Lake Ontario.
Great photos! The swans are so beautiful I wonder why they are hunted. Would have loved a shot of the swan sitting near the fisherman!
Fantastic post and photos of such a gorgeous bird! So sad to think of anyone shooting such a magnificent creature! I think it's wonderful that he came to sit by you! What a thrill that would have been for me, I know. I do love your photos, as always! Hope you have a great week!
Sylvia
Such beautiful creatures they are!
Beautiful images and very interesting commentary.
Swans are such gorgeous creatures, though they can be nasty. I feel a little sad for this lonely one.
Great photos of a beautiful bird. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
It is a very beautiful swan! I like the attityde :)
Best wishes EG!
http://fotochip.blogspot.com/2011/02/flowers-coin.html
So they're beautiful bullies, eh? Typical. The beautiful ones always get away with everything!
That is so sad to be lonely, I wish I could give it company. Beautiful creatures though.
Oh this made me sad, Swans mate for life and who knows whether it lost a mate or has still to find one. I worked in Wondsor near the Swan Sanctuary years ago and they are fab birds.
Sorry to hear that about this swan. Trumpet swans and mute swans, why don’t they get along in spite of the same species? I’ve learned recently that in the small group of fish, there is bullying. Some humans are so, too. I hope this swan is enjoying his (her?) solitude, even when he is alone. Thank you for this report with nice photos of beautiful swan.
So pretty and elegant!
I am not sure what kind of swans we have here...for sure I have seen two or three of the mute swans...some of the swans here have bands around their necks.
Good information. The swan has a very regal bearing.
I wonder if he worries that the tag clashes with his feathers.
Absolutely perfect! Enjoyed the photography alone but the byline with it was wonderful to learn about them too!!!!
It touched a chord to read that that one was so lonely! Thank you for introducing us to trumpeter swans, and sharing your lovely pictures.
The swans here a black (I kid you not!) so its good to see one of the white ones again.
Thanks.
Stewart M
I'm learning a lot about swans from you... illustrated with such pretty pictures.
So graceful - but fierce!
Beautiful swans. They are such lovely and graceful creatures.
Sound like a bunch of pushy birds! Sheesh. Why can't the swans get along. They're as bad as humans!
Nice shots of the feathered rascals!w
Re your question on Ocala: I can't afford RL polo's except on sale...when Dillards has them for about $20 I'll buy 'em. That's about 75% off retail.
Beautiful shots! I think swans, no matter the variety, are regal.
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