biancadarc.com Blog

Wild Swans

Since mid-February, I’ve been priviledged to watch huge flocks of migratory swans, snow geese and Canada geese flying and congregating in harvested farm fields near my parents’ home in Pennsylvania. Being a suburban kid, I’ve never had a chance to see such huge numbers of these gorgeous creatures. Sure, we have lots of Canada geese that seem to have given up migrating and just live on Long Island year-round now, but there’s nothing like watching flock after flock after flock of these birds flying overhead, hooting and honking as they head northward, signalling the approach of the end of Winter.

(Photo from the PA Game Commission site)

Last weekend, I saw the largest flock of swans I have ever seen in my life! There had to be hundreds, if not thousands of graceful, long-necked white swans congregating in an empty corn field as I drove by. Back at my mom’s, I was helping move some things out in the garden and heard the now-familiar noise in the sky, looked up and saw several large V’s of swans flying north. Just breathtaking!

I did a little research and found out that these are tundra swans that breed along the northern coastline of Canada in the Summer and spend the Winter on the coasts of both the Atlantic and Pacific. They are gorgeous. I’m used to seeing swans in pairs – a few at a time in a pond or something. I’ve never seen so many in one place and I have to say, the sight is truly breathtaking and a privilege to see.

I tried to snap a few photos on my new cell phone, but I haven’t gotten them downloaded yet (still learning how to use the phone). If/when I do, I’ll try to post some.