Whooper Swans are the Eurasian cousin of North American Trumpeter swans.
They breed all over Iceland, and some overwinter in the thermally heated parts of Lake Myvatn. Interestingly, their North American Trumpeter Swan cousins do the same thing, spending winter in the thermally heated parts of the Yellowstone River.
These beauties are aptly named as they certainly seem to enjoy trumpeting!
Whooper Swans mate for life,
and their cygnets, and grown offspring, often overwinter with them.
Cheers to you from Iceland’s beautiful swans~
Beautiful pictures! They seem to be calm in most of them…posing for you!
Thank you, they were curious and interactive which was wonderful.
wunderschön, liebe Cindy
Vielen dank mein lieber Freund!
incredible photos of such a beautiful bird, happy day to you Cindy
Thanks so much & happy Friday Eddie!
We have mute swans here, but not on the local lake, as they tend to group on the drains.
Swans are never seen where I live, so I think you are very lucky.
They are so graceful, and we had several on the marina, so could watch their cygnets grow up. My Mum loved swans, so I always think of her when | see them.
STUNNING—photography & 🎺 ers
I’m so envious of your travels!! Enjoy!!
I look forward to seeing what you will find and share next.
Thank You for what you do.
What a thoughtful comment and thank you so much for traveling with me. You make the experience better.
I’m ready to hear about any and all adventures!!! And the fact that see so many fabulous discoveries is astounding. With your photography and words you share the world. The world is a beautiful place.
The world is a beautiful place and people like you make it much more so <3
Right back at ya friend!!!
Such magnificent creatures. Great photos!
So happy you enjoyed them & cheers to you.
Beautiful post, Cindy.
Takk fyrir!
What fancy beaks they have! Great photos, Cindy. 🙂
Yes. They are especially beautiful.
Lovely!
Takk fyrir.
So beautiful. Nature gives us her best. Thanks, Cindy the photos are amazing as ever. 🙂 xx
Mother Nature is the world’s best artist. Hugs to you Lea~
Without a doubt. What a shame we don’t respect and care for her but seem bent on her distruction. Sorry, one of my soapbox issues, like what is going on in Washington… Bisous mon amie, Cindy.
Both these topics are beyond depressing. I agree. This is why I hang out with critters as much as possible. They are so much more civilized.
I cannot bear what is going on there. My poor felines have to perform countless therapy sessions… You are correct. We; have much to learn from our more civilized friends. Alas, we have to be intelligent enough to follow their lead. xx
Love you Lea. It is sad when the world becomes sad <3
<3
Food would be scarce in winter. I wonder what they would eat during the dark months of the year.
They eat aquatic plants, roots, and tubers, but I imagine winter must be difficult for them.
Wow they are beautiful! I wonder why they like the cooler climates. Any ideas?
In Lake Myvatn, parts of the lake are thermally heated from volcanic activity. These keeps the water warmer and ice free during winter. Swans must have open, unfrozen water to survive. They fluff up their feathers like down coats, trapping heat, and go into a sort of torpor, conserving energy. They must also consume more calories to keep generating body heat.
Beautiful creatures! 😻
They are. Happy Friday Linda~
These swans are beautiful ! Thanks for sharing Cindy.
Thanks my friend & great to hear from you!
What majestic creatures!! Thank you for showing them to us, Cindy! By the way, are the babies snow-white, too??
They are soft, adorable, very-pale, gray.
Awww, downy babies!!
I know they are so irresistible!
Lovely! Thanks Cindy. 🙂
Hugs to you, and thank you sweet Ranu <3
They are so beautiful. xxx
I am very happy you think so & cheers to you Adele!
Nice touch of yellow on the beck, Cindy.
Leslie
Mother Nature rocks things right!
She really does, Cindy….
<3
Oh, they are beautiful.
They are indeed and respond well to respectful observation.
They’re beautiful! The yellow really stands out on their beaks <3
It does and it makes them striking looking.
Really beautiful!
Takk fyrir!
Surely some of the most beautiful birds ( not sure If they are actually in the bird family. ) Iceland is a paradise of beautiful and unique creatures ! Happy travels Cindy!
Awww, thank you & hugs to you <3
Hugs <3
<3
I love the color of their beaks! Beautiful photos! 🙂
Thank you! Their coloration is striking.
Beautiful swans and images Cindy. Thanks for sharing your passions.
Aww, thank you more for appreciating them Brad & happy weekend~
Thank you. 🙂
<3
I love swans. I think they are so beautiful.
They are wonderful creatures in every way and respond so well to respect.
When I was 3 or 4 in Fairford in the UK, I got chased by one. Definitely need to respect them! 🤣
Oh, yes. That must have been so frightening for you at that age.
I ran as fast as I could. 😄
I bet. Traumatic.
They are as beautiful as theirTrumpeter cousins, although I do see the difference. These gorgeous creatures have been captured wonderfully by you, dear amazing Cindy!
I so love our Trumpeters, but I can never get close to them and have to travel far to see them. I know, lucky one, have them nearby.
Cheers! 🙂 xo
Cheers to you sweet Bette!
These are gorgeous photos – such beautiful birds! 🙂
I love them. They don’t seem aggressive either, but I am sure they could be if the situation required it.
They almost look too good to be true, how wonderful!
Nature wonders are just that, wonders!
I’ve never seen such beautiful swans…those yellow beaks are so different from the black beaks of our local swans…happy travels!
Thank you and yes, they are beautiful, with the bright yellow beaks, and seemed quite placid compared to other swans I have seen
Beautiful. What’s their noise like? Did you hear?
I did and it is lovely. Listen and see what you think:
Oh thanks
What lovely conversations they have!
Yes, I wonder what they are saying….
So beautiful. I love the photo where it’s beak is open. He/She has got something to say. 🙂
He certainly does and has no need for assertiveness training!
They are beautiful. I am wondering they must be crammed together in the heated part of the river. That must be a great sight to see.
Iceland in the winter would be spectacular, but oh so cold. I would love to see the swans in winter and would imagine the water would steam in the frigid air.
Smart birds, finding heated water. I imagine the land around those ponds is rather warm too. Nature has a place for everybody. Beautiful photographs!
Nature is so amazing. The more I see of it, the more in awe I get.
Thank you for broadcasting so much beauty.
Thank you more for your kind appreciation.
Incredible photos! Same camera as the roadrunner?
Thanks so much and yes, same camera. Have a wunderbar weekend!
Danke! Gleichfalls! 🙋
<3
Gorgeous. Truly gorgeous.
Awww, like your <3 sweet friend~
Pingback: Iceland’s Whooper Swans~ — | Rethinking Life
Thanks so much & cheers to you!
Quite beautiful, Cindy. And I imagine from your description, quite noisy. –Curt
It’s a melodic sound though. I included a sample a couple comments up. Cheers to you Curt &
welcome back~
Are they as talkative as Canadian Geese? (Who also mate for life.) Thanks, Cindy. I confess to missing the wilderness although i could probably pass on hiking up mountains on hot, smoky afternoons! –Curt
Hot, smokey, doesn’t work for me either. That must have been rough. They talk differently than Canadian Geese. The swans are more consistently melodic. (Don’t tell the geese I said this!)
I’ll keep it a secret from the geese Cindy. Otherwise they might land on your roof and talk to you all night. –Curt
Which. of course I would love to no end, but then, unfortunately, so would the Great Horned Owls!
Ah… Goose dinner. 🙂
They’ll get your goose if you try that! 😉
Indeed! 🙂
My, the angle that those necks can take! 🙂
Amazing isn’t it. They are wonderful creatures.
A bit of yellow. A bit of black. And a whole lot of white. Really something.
Neil S.
Such a perfect description! Matches the swans beautifully.
I can’t get over their wonderful long NECKS! And “cygnet” is just the greatest word. Beautiful creatures. (And you speak German!)
Thank you! I am so glad you like them & I speak German very badly.
They’re lovely!
They are and their personalities are too!
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Pictures of Iceland’s beautiful Whooper swans taken by Cindy Knoke.
Gratitude for you my very kind friend <3
I have always been enchanted by swans. 🙂
I understand. They are enchanting creatures.
Beautiful photographs – I love the reflections as much as the swans.
You have an observant eye as they were rather subtle.
Such beautiful birds but how do they stay so elegantly white, I wonder!
Birds and their colors are the most magical mystery.
So true! If only our feathers (skin and hair) would stay as beautiful. 😀
<3 <3
No ugly ducklings here Cindy. Intriguing that they stay the winter in thermally heated waters in the US too.
Yes, I was struck by the similarity too.
Beautiful captures of the elegant swans, Cindy!
Thanks much & cheers to you! Loved your 40’s bash.
https://youtu.be/9RrsaAPGrjY
So beautiful! Thank you.
You wellcome dear Cindy.
<3
https://superduque777.files.wordpress.com/2018/09/hemera-1.jpg
Hemera, moorning godess
Absolute beauties, Cindy!
I am very happy you like them!
🙂
We have so much to learn from our winged friends! Hugs!
We do indeed. Happy Sunday to you Rebecca <3
Just wow, Cindy!
Just like your amazing artwork <3
Reblogged this on Wild Voices.
was ich dir sagen wollte:”Entspannung tut der Seele gut”.
Ja es ist und ich entspanne mich so viel wie möglich! Friede sei mit dir mein Freund.
möge es eine gute Woche für uns werden
<3 <3
Beautiful birdies. I saw a small warbler that I hadn’t seen before on a branch above my feeder.
An American Redstart. I hope to see it again… but it might have just been passing through to warmer climes.
Cheers from another rainy day here – Jules
Such a thrill to see and identify a new visitor! I hope he visits again.
They are so beautiful <3 Pawkisses for a wonderful week ahead 🐾😽💞
Visa versa 2UX2 <3
Blemishless beauties!
So happy you see them as I do, thank you!
Beautiful shots Cindy. They are gorgeous birds. Definitely worthy of a ballet.
Alison
Hope all is well with you Alison. I am loving your Japan photo essays.
Thanks xo
Wonderful images, Cindy. What pretty birds!
Thank you Jane & cheers to you!
Gorgeous shots, Cindy! Enjoy Iceland!
<3 <3
So beautiful and graceful!
They are and they have nice dispositions too.
Wow, those are some very long necks. 🙂
Good for reaching down deep in the water!
No kidding! 😉
<3
Pingback: Iceland’s Whooper Swans~ — – Platypus Lady
Thank you & cheers too!
Smart swans to winter in a heated pool. Beautiful closeups!
They are smart and good looking! <3
You always bring a smile to life Cindy! Spiritual hugs, love and blessings my sister!
Wonderful to hear from you & blessings back to you Wendell <3
möge es ein Tag voller Freude für uns sein
Amen, mein Freund <3
Beautiful images💕💕
Thank you for your thoughtfulness Nidhi~
Always my Pleasure 🤗🌹
<3 <3
Lovely photos, Cindy. They’re beautiful creatures.
And they are so friendly if you approach them with respect. They like people if you don’t barge into their space.
My mom was “bit/pecked” in the neck by a swan when I was a kid. And our geese used to chase and hiss at my brothers and me. Needless to say, we grew up with an ingrained fear of waterfowl. Ha ha. So I’ll just have to take your word for their friendliness. 😀
That must have been terrifying for you. An angry swan is a formidable creature, even for an adult. Geese are great watchdogs, but can be somewhat indiscriminate. Birds are highly sensitive to approach by humans.
Precious 💓
They are. Thank you <3
Waiting for your book of “Birds I have Photographed” Cindy!! So beautiful!
I would love to do that book. <3
I would love to see it! xo
I hope you do!
Reblogged this on SUSANNE LEIST.
You are such an wonderful person and friend. Thank you Susanne.
These Swans are beautiful. We see a few ducks around here and on occasion geese as they migrate but swans I rarely remember seeing unless it’s a sanctuary situation. Guess I don’t get out enough. 😉 Your photographs are amazing as always.
Swans are basically unheard of in Hollerdom too, so well understand.
Many of these beautiful birds over-winter at Martin Mere in Lancashire, UK.
Yes, I read they do! How lucky you are.
They are gorgeous! Beautiful shots, Cindy!
Awwww, you are a lovely friend <3
Simply amazing
Love to you and your wonderful donkeys <3
Stunning photos!
Oh , so appreciated. Thank you.
They are beautiful aren’t they. We seldom see them in Alberta, but they do reside in some parks where they’re cared for with heated house and a warming pond that stays open over winter. I loved watching them in Lucerne, Switzerland against the local views. xK
How long were you in Iceland? It fascinates. Love these photos.
So happy you enjoyed! We were in Iceland for two weeks, and in Scotland and Ireland also.
How wonderful. Ireland and Scotland are on my bucket list.
Make sure to visit the Hebrides and the Shetlands. They are simply gorgeous.
Oh, thank you, Cindy. On my bucket list. Is there enough time to do it all?
No. But you should definitely endeavor diligently to try!
Shall try. Enjoy the weekend.
Thank you, Cindy. 🙂
<3 <3
Wow such colorful swans 🙂
Aren’t they beauties!
Indeed they are 🙂
<3
So beautiful
Thank you for seeing the beauty.
Enchanting and beautiful.
Awww, so pleased you enjoyed & cheers to you~
The strange thing about these birds they come to Burlington Ontario in winter time. The place they staying over winter is Lake Ontario near the huge steel plant. It seems to me the water is not really clean enough there. However they are there every single year and thanks people can survive even when the winter is pretty cold.
How unusual! The Salton Sea is heavily polluted as well, but full of many thousands of birds.
We are not them and never understand their behavior. Probably, whatever is bad for us is good for them. ?!!! 🙂
One thing I do know is we have not been good for them.
Is it just me and perspective but does one of the swans have a wobbly neck like its been broken at some time?
You are quite perceptive. Yes, it does have an abnormal neck. It wasn’t in pain and was eating fine, so I assumed it was either a healed injury or a malformation. Thanks for looking closely Charlotte!
Great post
Thank you and lovely to meet you.