Thursday, June 15, 2023 Trumpeter Swans Drama, and babies Act 1 of 5

 Seward, Alaska

I may have missed the first acts, but the TRUMPETER SWAN Drama was in full swing when I chanced to drive past the Nash Road wetlands at Mile 1. 

The scene: the wetlands and pond on the east side of the road. 

The cast: a pair of angry territorial adults, three 1-year old youngsters, an incidental LINCOLN’S SPARROW, and a cameo from the Swan family on the west side.

The plot: Adults repeatedly attempt to evict young Swans from area.

Note: This may be the family that started out with 5 much-beloved babies on June 8, 2022. Hard to tell. 

Act 1: a pair of magnificent adults entered stage left from the center of the pond. They swam side-by-side, heads bobbing up and down, united in purpose and righteousness. Their wild honking reverberated off the nearby cliffs, like a bugle stirring up the troops, furthering their resolve to claim the whole wetlands for themselves.

They singled out one of the closest youngsters quietly feeding nearby and with only a threatening feint, routed the wary youngster away to the middle of the pond. After a hearty celebration, they turned to watch a second, demure youngster paddle past, trying discreetly to get to the more open water without being attacked. 

Muttering angrily, then with necks outstretched, they agreed to give chase. Abruptly, they exploded across the water, big black webbed feet slapping the surface in huge strides, giant white wings beating furiously, long necks and menacing beaks outstretched, honking crazily. 

One young Swan managed to circle back; the other fled farther away. The adults decided that was good enough, and struck an impressive arc-winged victory pose. The bubbly song of the LINCOLN’S SPARROW filled the gaps between honking.