Last Thursday was a windy, cold and rainy, but in spite of the gnarliness, the weather brought in some birdies that we don’t normally get to see. Like this fella.
The trumpeter started trumpeting, and while I’m quite certain it was trying to attract the attention of another trumpter, it instead attracted the attention of Mr. Gawky, the mute swan.
From the point of view of the trumpeter swan–or any other swan for that matter–Mr. Gawky’s puffed-up approach was not a friendly one. But the trumpeter swan was up for the challenge and went after Mr. Gawky.
The trumpeter moved a lot of water while going after Mr. Gawky.
But then Mr. Gawky reared up and the trumpeter swan reared up.
And the two swans went around in circles.
The agressive, but no-touch dance continued…
Somehow in the twirling and flapping, Mr. Gawky started going after the trumpeter swan.
And with that, the trumpeter ran off to the other side of the lake.
It takes a lot to get such a big bird into the air.
Finally, the big bird took to the air.
Mr. Gawky followed suit, the trumpeter took off and landed again. Then both Mr. AND Mrs. Gawky approached all puffed up.
Out-numbered, the big white bird took to the air again.
And with that, I said good-bye to the first solo trumpeter swan I’ve ever seen on our lake. The visit lasted less than an hour.
Good luck my feathery friend.
