Trumpeter Swans

These are some of North America's largest birds. Adults can weigh up to 28 pounds. When they first come back in the spring everyone is glad to see them, because warmer weather is not far behind them.
In Rural Alaska hunters are glad to see them , because they are tasty.
Like a lot of wildlife these birds were hunted almost to extinction in most of amerika.. Fortunately in the core range  of Canada and Alaska, thousands survived, and today populations are on the rebound.

Swans in Potter Marsh

   An airplane driver pal of mine said last week that hundreds of swans were on the flats just across Cook Inlet from Anchorage. That means they are moving south for winter, and when they are gone from this part of Alaska, that means winter is getting close...

Trumpeter Swans and Mallards feeding in Potter Marsh October 2, 2010