You are here

Ready For Takeoff

Trumpeter swans, Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park. Copyright Kurt Repanshek
Kurt Repanshek
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Though trumpeter swans once were considered one of the rarest birds in North America, they're fairly easy to spot in Yellowstone National Park. These two, along with a third, were somehow enjoying the Firehole River last week when the ambient air temperature was right around -21 degrees Fahrenheit (-29 Celsius).

This swan species is the largest of North American waterfowl, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. In the wild they are thought to mate for life. And that can be a long time, as they can live to 24 years or longer.

Kurt,
What an awesome picture. I hope you will share more pictures and stories of your recent trip to Yellowstone in the winter. This trip has long been on my bucket list....so I am envious.


Very cool picture! Ever since hearing about George Melendez Wright's passion for preserving the Trumpeters, I will never look at them the same way ever again! When we were in Yellowstone a couple of weeks ago, right before Christmas, we saw "7 Swans A Swimming" along the Madison! They are such elegant looking birds!
Connie Hopkins


Great pictures and great trip, Kurt! You perfectly captured the flight of these swans!


Add comment

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.