Sunday, June 20, 2004

The Trumpeter Swan by Skylar Hansen

Photograph from The Trumpeter Swan: A White Perfection by Skylar Hansen

The Trumpeter Swan: A White Perfection (1984) is a book by Skylar Hansen about four trumpeter swan breeding pairs. The trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) is the largest waterfowl species in North America. Hansen observed and photographed the birds and their offspring for a year, paying particular attention to parenting behaviors and offspring survival.

The male swans are called "cobs," and the females are termed "pens." Although the birds once had a vast range that covered most of Canada and the northern United States, their breeding grounds are now localized in small regions. Once the cob and pen form pair bonds, the swans nest together for life. They form strong attachments to their nest sites and guard their nesting territory fiercely.

I hadn’t read a book about nature and wildlife for so long. This book reminded me of what I'd been missing. My favorite thing about the book was the photographs. The photos were all taken by the author, and they were striking and beautiful.

Purchase and read The Trumpeter Swan by Skylar Hansen:

The Trumpeter Swan by Skylar Hansen


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