Trumpeter Swans: Arctic Visitors

Trumpeter Swans are another welcome winter visitor to the Kootenays. The swans that I see move along the migration corridor from Western Alaska through British Columbia to Montana and Utah. A few birds spend most of the winter just “up the valley” on open water. These photos are of the swans that turned up in the Nelson area.

family walking across the mud flats

Adult flapping wings

Swans share a long-term pair bond and migrate in family groups. Adults have the whiter plumage and the juveniles (first spring birds) have a more  “mottled” appearance. Sometimes you can see the more pinkish bill of the juveniles.

Juvenile flapping wings

Curious swans

Spending time crouched on icy mud is part of the bargain if you want to watch swans, but my favourite memory is that of a curious family that swam up to get a better look at me and Max.  Max was sitting next to me and no danger to the swans.  They came within a few feet and gave me an eye to eye view of a truly magnificent bird.  I was holding my breath in amazement.  I wonder what the swans were thinking. They were probably checking out potential predators or they may have been merely curious, but there is a part of me that hopes they found the encounter memorable too.

Checking us out

walking across the ice

Trumpeter Swans

The call of these beautiful birds brings wide open spaces to mind. I would love to see them on the nesting ground. For now, I consider myself lucky to see these arctic visitors. Enjoy the photos.

Trumpeter Swan pair

All photos and writing in this blog copyright Joanne Siderius 2013