THE MUTE SWAN

Named a mute swan because it is not nearly as vocal as a domestic or wild swan.  The mute swan runs around 17 to 30 pounds and has a wing span in the neighborhood of 7.5 to 9 feet.  The males have a large black knob at the top rear of their beak while females have a smaller protrusion.  Flight speed runs around 50 mps tops.  Thats moving along for a 30 pound object.

This particular swan is a female and I photographed her last year on the Holston River.  No mate was noticed then and none now.  I don't understand that but nature is the driver here.  These pictures were taken only a week ago, 5-29-22 in the same area as last year.  Mutes are not common here and are rarely seen.  This lady has been hanging out near white egrets and at times swimming geese.