Family-Outdoors

“To form a perfect conception of the beauty and elegance of these Swans, you must observe them when they are not aware of your proximity, and as they glide over the waters of some secluded inland pond. On such occasions, the neck, which at other times is held stiffly upright, moves in graceful curves, now bent forward, now inclined backwards over the body. Now with an extended scooping movement the head becomes immersed for a moment, and with a sudden effort a flood of water is thrown over the back and wings, when it is seen rolling off in sparkling globules, like so many large pearls. The bird then shakes its wings, beats the water, and as if giddy with delight shoots away, gliding over and beneath the surface of the liquid element with surprising agility and grace. Imagine, reader, that a flock of fifty Swans are thus sporting before you, as they have more than once been in my sight, and you will feel, as I have felt, more happy and void of care than I can describe.” More than 1...

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) is asking all states and provinces to assist with the 2015 Trumpeter Swan Survey for North America. This survey, conducted once every 5 years, provides baseline population data for trumpeter swan management throughout North America. The USFWS is requesting an estimate of the number of free-flying trumpeter swans, adults plus cygnets, in Iowa. “We would like the help of avid birders and others with an interest in waterfowl to gather as much information on local swans as possible.  Swans are fairly conspicuous and, in most cases, someone will know if swans are in the area,” said David Hoffman, wildlife technician with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The targeted time period for this survey is June 6 – Sept. 25.  Hoffman asked to not include any captive swans in the count. Count information should be sent to David.Hoffman@dnr.iowa.gov by Oct. 2. Related articles Iowa DNR Releases More Trumpeter Swans in Southwest...

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia) As I walked closer, four trumpeter swans paddled effortlessly to the far side of the open water. An aerator keeps an area of this pond from icing over. Displaying their nonchalance, one or two cut loose with their namesake ‘trumpet’ calls. More like a French horn, I guess. “They’re just beautiful to watch; kind of entertaining. We’ve actually had them walk up in the yard. That, we didn’t expect,” recalls Sandy Tull. She and husband Terry Tull look out on a real-life wildlife canvas from their home just outside Sheffield, in northern Iowa. The female swans are here for the long run; sustaining injuries which prevent their return to the wild. Since they can’t fly, they need to be kept near open water—a buffer zone against predators—and have feed. The Tulls provide those. The DNR keeps track of them; perhaps to match them with mates to bolster the agency’s restoration program. That involvement, though, is being scaled back from 10 or 15 years ago...