nature, Photography

Okanagan Swans

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I had heard that swans will overwinter in the Okanagan Valley but I had never seen them here before, either in the summer or the winter. I was happy to spot this little family a few days ago. They seem to be two parents with their juvenile or cygnet.

All that flying means that they have to do some serious grooming. I can hear their conversation now!

Impatient swan: I’ll guard, you two get cleaned up!

Impatient Swan: Okay, you look clean now. Time to go!

Calm Swan: But darling, we’re swans. You know how important it is for us to maintain our image.

Impatient Swan: Okay, but you two look great. Let’s get going before all those Canada geese arrive. They’re so grumpy and mean and they always travel in gangs.

Calm Swan: Darling, you need a break. You’re the grumpy one, you know. Don’t worry about those geese. After all, they’ll never look as good as us. I’ll take point and you can rest your feathers.

Impatient Swan: Okay, I do feel tired. It’ll be good to rest and settle in for a while. How do I look?

Happy Tuesday!

53 thoughts on “Okanagan Swans”

  2. So beautiful. We get them for a couple of weeks in March and then again in October as they pass through. I always look forward to it, but was away for both visits this year. Maggie

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    1. I don’t think I ever saw them when I lived in southern Alberta and while I heard that there were lots of them here in the winter, this is the first time I saw them. Shortly after I took these photos they took off to the north but I just watched instead of taking photos. They are breathtakingly elegant in the air. Agreed Maggie, they are so beautiful.

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  3. Lynette, I love the photos of the elegant swans and wow, the water is so blue! It’s great how they inspired you and the conversation is spot on – it has me laughing away! Oh yes, these regal birds have nothing to worry about from the loud gaggles of Canadian geese! 😀❤️

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    1. Thank you very much, Annika. 😊 There was a bit of sun but mainly the water looks blue because of the angle from which I took the photos (I was up on a picnic table). They definitely don’t have anything to worry about from the geese, but I have to say that swans are notoriously grumpy as well! 😄

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      1. Haha! Those grumpy swans! You might know this already but here in the UK the swans are owned by the crown and every few years there is an annual count of the King’s swans!

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        1. They aren’t known for being friendly, especially where their young are concerned! 😉 I did know about Crown ownership but hadn’t thought of it when I organised this post. I believe the Crown owns the mute swans? These are trumpeter swans (the main difference in appearance is the colour of their bills). About 30 years ago the trumpeters were very endangered, so Crown ownership might actually have helped to prevent that! Careful conservation has brought them back, thankfully. I have to say that an annual count of the King’s swans sounds interesting. What do they do if the numbers are seriously off from the previous year’s?

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          1. Lynette, your last sentence sent me googling and actually at the last count the number fell 40%, partly because of avian flu in swans but also because of a growing problem of violence, including shootings, catapult attacks and dogs killing swans. ‘Measures’ are put in place to try and stop this but all rather vague!

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          2. Wow! 40% is such a lot. Shootings, dogs and catapults? It sounds like some major interventions need to happen. The avian flu is a different problem but the swans here were being decimated by poachers – apparently for overseas markets – until they were specifically targeted not only by wildlife officers but by advertising and education programs. Thanks for the information, Annika. I thought that their Crown status might afford them more protection.

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  5. Beautful Swans, and the water looks nice too! I’ve been lucky enough to hear them calling overhead during their migration.

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    1. Thanks, Allan. They apparently don’t like city ponds as they aren’t deep enough and don’t provide the right types of food and unlike the mute swans (these are trumpeter swans) will avoid the ocean. And yes, they probably get upset by all those unruly Canada geese!

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        1. Oh yes, no question. Leonardo Da Vinci was trying to figure it out in the 15th century, largely through his extensive study of birds. He did succeed with a short glide but broke his leg and was unable to try again. Such an amazing artist and scientist.

          I hope you’re feeling better, John.

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          1. He was an amazing man for sure. Thanks for asking, Lynette, I saw my GP yesterday, she put me back on the original medications I was taking (i was glad for this), I hope it helps the BP but I am getting a referral to see an endocrinologist soon I hope.

            The doctors in the hospital in September were pointing at my Adrenal glads since they regulate BP and more with hormones. It’s a bit scary really, not being able to fully control my BP.

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    1. Thank you very much. 😊 I agree, Belinda. I had seen them in the north as they have major breeding areas there, but I had never seen them here even though I had heard about them quite a lot. It was great to finally spot them. Cheers.

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    1. Yes, they sure are, but you also have to keep your distance as they can be very aggressive and are also North America’s largest birds. Their average height is 180 cm and they weigh about 11 kg. Wonderful to watch these gorgeous birds, though.

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    1. Thank you very much, Linda. After hearing so often that they’re here, it was great to finally see them. For sure, the Canada geese will never be as beautiful as the swans, but they are elegant fliers, if a little gang-like. 😉

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