That sound!!!
@GardenGerty (169474)
United States
May 16, 2019 6:55am CST
Before we got in the gate, we could hear that sound. I told hubby it either was an elephant (this zoo does not have elephants) or the trumpeter swans.
It is mating season and they are very vocal in their speech. There was also a sign and extra yellow tape warning visitors to stay back.
Trumpeter swans are the largest bird in the zoo. Some of them have a wingspan of up to ten feet. They are native to North America. Kansas has a river called the Marais de Cygne--River of Swans. I learned from reading online that the habitat is threatened by the Mute Swans who were brought here from Europe and Asia. Besides their size, the distinguishing characteristic of these swans is their solid black bill and feet. The feathers are pure while.
I think we have never been here in the mating season, because I do not ever recall hearing the trumpeters sound off.
E.B. White (who also wrote Charlotte's Web) wrote a children's book about the adventure of a trumpeter swan, called, appropriately enough, "The Trumpet of the Swan".
I am getting ready for work today. The weather will be very warm. We will have outside games called "Field Day" today. I am getting my fresh air and sunshine this week.
11 people like this
12 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
16 May 19
I had never heard swans trumpeting either.
Wonder if they are as loud as geese honking lol
Wonder if they are as loud as geese honking lol2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
20 May 19
@paigea Peacocks are higher pitched. I found the peacocks by their vocalizations. At this zoo they were not around close. At other zoos the peacocks wander wherever they want to. I could not get close to the peacocks.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
18 May 19
Yes, they do have a bad temper, especially when breeding, nesting and getting used to people. A black swan tried to flog me with his wings once. I think because I had a red notebook in my hands.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
18 May 19
@LadyDuck Some breeds of cows are worse than others. My grandparents had cattle. The docile ones would come to the fence but we stayed on our side. The bulls were always scary.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502427)
• Italy
18 May 19
@GardenGerty I keep my distance, I know they are vicious. I stay away also from cows, tourists here are warned to stay away especially if they have calves, a cow may kill.
2 people like this
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104615)
• United States
16 May 19
I am not sure that I had ever heard of these swans before so I suppose I learned something new today. Thank You. It's hard for me to believe that it's already May, the kids will be getting out of school soon, if they haven't already.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
18 May 19
I had responded to you here yesterday and the glitch ate my response, I guess. Our kids will go part of next week. Other places, like Minnesota, they go through the first week of June.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
18 May 19
@GardenGerty Every year that surprised me. We go until the last day of June.
Usually, we don't start back until after Labour day.
Do you start earlier?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
20 May 19
@paigea We start mid August. It used to be based on the cycle of crops, but now it is based on who plays what sports. If they get out too late it is too hot to play baseball and softball in the evenings.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
17 May 19
Everything mates to produce babies.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
18 May 19
I had to go look up Polish mute swans. Parks often bring in water fowl to keep down mosquitoes.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
20 May 19
@paigea Polish mute swans have a genetic difference that is like albinism. They have gray or pink legs and look whiter. They have been given a different Latin name that means "unchanging", I guess because they do not turn darker.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
18 May 19
@GardenGerty I hadn't thought of swans for that.
I always hear about purple martins for mosquito control. And bats.
When you looked it up were the Polish mute swans just regular mute swans?
The swans in the city's lake have their wings clipped and are kept in a building over the winter. They are part of a breeding program. Some wild swans do join them.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
19 May 19
I use to love field day! Hope everyone behaved and had fun.
Ive never heard a swan make noise.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
20 May 19
These swans are native to the US and are very loud. They have black beaks and black legs. That would be how you would recognize them.
1 person likes this
@LovingMyBabies (85923)
• Valdosta, Georgia
16 May 19
I have never heard of them before. God's creation always amazes me! =) Thanks for sharing this!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
18 May 19
There are many surprises in creation.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (135744)
• Marion, Ohio
16 May 19
I have never heard them either. That would have been fun.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
18 May 19
It is always great to do new things.
1 person likes this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
16 May 19
I hope the weather stays nice for your field day games.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
17 May 19
We had a very nice sunny day at school yesterday. Today has also been nice, but the thunderstorms are on their way back.
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
17 May 19
Oh, I worked outside all day today, Friday, so that is three days in a row. Thunderstorms are coming, though.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
16 May 19
I guess they "trumpet" their desires!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169474)
• United States
17 May 19
It seems almost any time I can be outdoors is a great day.
