7 swans a-swimming

Posted on December 8, 2015 by Alistair

 

It struck me as being a tad early in the month, but there they were, seven swans a-swimming.

Of course, as soon as swans are seen on the Lake, the immediate question is: Are they Tundras or Trumpeters? In this case, I lean towards Tundras because of the shape and lack of heft of the bill, the way the neck is held, and the fact that the juvenile has already begun to lose its grey colouration. Yet, none of them show a yellow lore. I am open to suggestions. 

After swimming awhile, the swans took to the air. The second picture shows five of them, including the juvenile, flying.

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3 Responses to 7 swans a-swimming

  1. Alistair says:
    December 9, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    One reader wrote me directly to say:

    I have to go with Trump, on one single field mark, which is ‘usually’ reliable.

    Note the shape of the black bare skin as it meets the eye, On Trump it is nearly as wide as the eye, with the bottom edge running smoothly into the bottom of the eye. On Tundra, this bare skin is narrower than the eye, giving the appearance of a golf ball on a tee (or so it is described).

    Also, less reliable, note the shape of the line dividing black/white from the eye down to the base – smoothly curved convex forward. On a Tundra that line would tend to show angle about midway down – steeper in bottom half.

    However, you need to have more confidence in your superb photography! If there was a yellow spot it would have shown in your photos. The spot could be absent in some individuals, but not in seven out of seven.

    To which I can only add that a few months ago, I would have acceded to the designation, Trump. However today, I am unwilling to besmirch my swans with that designation and so insist on Trumpeter.

  2. Christine says:
    December 10, 2015 at 11:18 am

    How rare and inspiring! I’ve been watching for swans on the water in Blewett. So nice to see these.

  3. Peter McIver says:
    December 11, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    Hi,Alistair,
    I agree with the Trumpeter designation.
    Also-loved your Muskrat analysis!

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