Swan

I counted fifteen Mute Swans at the Ellis Creek Ponds in Petaluma this morning. For the second time I ran into Bob Dyer, the most knowledgeable docent around. I asked him why the swan in my picture was fluffing his wings. Bob told me that the swans are very territorial, and this one was asserting himself and showing off. Bob believes there are two swan families at the ponds and they are always in competition. Bob also said that the Mute Swans are not welcome because they are quite aggressive toward other birds.

 

Despite their name, the Mute Swans are far from mute!