Mute Swan

   Today I had to go to Olive Branch, Mississippi on business. During the trip I drove through a small city park. In the pond, along with the Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) and the Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and a couple of Snow Geese (Chen caerulescens), I spotted something a great deal larger than anything else on the pond. Very unusual here and a delight to see and photograph, an adult Mute Swan (Cygnus olor). Very impressive.

Mute Swan

   These are truly majestic water birds. The white body and long white neck glide through the water. The way to differentiate it from other swans is the diagnostic color pattern of the head. The adult has an orange beak and a black face. This bird is very unusual for this area, which is why I took a picture. I saw this one in Desoto County in northern Mississippi. Last year Berry and I spotted one behind a storage building here in Memphis.

Robert

photos courtesy of rfowler