Share this Story : Calgary Sun Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

On the Road: Trumpeter swans heralding spring

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

OK, those were pretty easy to spot.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account and fewer ads.

Get exclusive access to the Calgary Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.

Get exclusive access to the Calgary Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.

Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.

Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

They were big and white and stood out brightly against the browns of the fields. There were maybe a dozen of them in the first bunch, closer to 20 in the second. They were trumpeter swans and I was so happy to see them.

On the Road: Trumpeter swans heralding spring Back to video

My pal Mike — yeah, I know, same name — had told me a friend of his had seen a big bunch of swans just east of High River the day before. He had gone out for a look and seen that yes, there were swans out in the fields. So I figured I’d go have a look, too.

And like I said, they weren’t too hard to find.

Trumpeter swans are pretty much the biggest flying birds in North America. They dwarf most other birds, even birds like Canada geese, let alone mallards and other ducks. The only birds that come close to their size are their cousins, tundra swans, and pelicans. Whooping cranes are pretty big, too, taller than trumpeters but they don’t weigh nearly as much.

If you are looking for signs of spring, the return of the swans is the first true one. They had........

© Calgary Sun