Swan Family

I just went out to try and find the swans; I wanted to get some more photos before they leave. The babies take 3-4 months before they are ready to fly, and are protected by both parents until that time. It can be surprisingly hard to find them through the thick-mosquito-ridden cattails. Amazingly, all four are still around! I love their quiet presence, so different from Canada Geese. An interesting note - the 1975 edition of Minnesota Birds by Jan Green and Bob Janssen lists Trumpeter Swans as extirpated from Minnesota - what a happy success story!