C24, why do they torment you?
Outdoor Ontario

C24, why do they torment you?

dbellilo · 20 · 12073
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dbellilo

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on: June 04, 2011, 09:00:30 PM
It's not every day we see a tundra swan around Toronto, and here's why I figure I'm losing my mind:
The people of the beach, you know, they feed the fellow and his trumpeter friend too. Swans with big yellow tags, black bills, etc., look unusual even to the least birdy of passersby. Now here's why I know I'm going snake-o: I get so ANGRY when I see people feeding bread to these weird big creatures that I have to walk away for fear of lashing out at the ignorant humans. As I fume out of there, I ask myself pesky questions like "Dave-o what's wrong with live and let live?" and "Did you fail to notice the smiles on the people's faces and that some of them were CHILDREN and that in their way they're communing with creatures which is nothing but good and who cares if these swans eat bread anyhow, obviously they LOVE bread, after all they chase the people around, practically screaming at them NO DON'T GO I NEED MORE BREAD I'M HOOKED YOU IGNORAMUS GIMMEE GIMMEE?" and then I get even madder because I'm too uptight at this point to spend good time with my new buddy, upon whom I've bestowed the name SPURDOCK, by the way. Anyhow, I'd never seen a tundra swan before, and here are a couple of snaps, just for fun...
I trust all is well with the birdfolks
David

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by dbellilo »

denis

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Reply #1 on: June 05, 2011, 11:49:22 AM
love the portrait,david.
excellent exposure,detail,and BG.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by denis »

Al Johnston

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Reply #2 on: June 05, 2011, 05:29:53 PM
Two great shots, David. Just one little detail --- the swan is actually a trumpeter. I just spoke to Harry Lumsden, founder of the Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program and he banded this bird on Nov. 26, 2006 with the number C 24. The yellowish marking in front of the eye is a little confusing as most tundra swans have someting similar. Again, great shots!
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Al Johnston »

Whittam

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Reply #3 on: June 05, 2011, 06:08:08 PM
I watched Harry Lumsden banding trumpeters in Washago Ontario this past February.  What an amazing process!  Harry is an amazing individual1  Cheers Terry
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Whittam »

dbellilo

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Reply #4 on: June 05, 2011, 09:30:51 PM
Al, I am flabbergasted by your news! Please know that C24 has the yellow on both sides, the yellow marking being a diagnostic one for tundra swans...hmm...anyhow, many thanks for your kind words. I'm no swan expert, that's for sure, but I'm not convinced...why the yellow markings on both sides? Only the swan can answer this. I only mention this because from what I've read, trumpeter swans DO NOT have this marking. It seems like quite a coincidence that this swan should have yellow markings at the base of his bill, on both sides, and NOT be a tundra swan. Ah, the mysteries of birds! Thanks again for the comments, and please know that I am very puzzled by all this!
All the best,
David
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by dbellilo »

thouc

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Reply #5 on: June 05, 2011, 10:27:29 PM
The yellow on Tundra Swans is usually closer to the eye than on this bird. It is also brighter yellow compared with the orange color of this Trumpeter.

/Thomas
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by thouc »

dbellilo

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Reply #6 on: June 05, 2011, 10:38:56 PM
Obviously it's possible the bird is a Trumpeter, it would just be a remarkable coincidence, that's all...as far as the yellow goes, that's the light. I have other pictures where the yellow is more...yellow. I had to compensate for the bright sun...one question: is it possible the bird could be a hybrid? That the yellow was not there in 2006 but developed afterwards? I know not from swans, but I am excited by bird coincidences...
Thanking any of you for any more information...
David

« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by dbellilo »

Al Johnston

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Reply #7 on: June 07, 2011, 12:59:59 PM
David, I spoke to Harry Lumsden's daughter and she noticed a chunk missing from the left side of the swan's bill. She feels Harry will be interested as he's currently studying the effect that snapping turtles may have on trumpeter swans when they're cygnets.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Al Johnston »

dbellilo

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Reply #8 on: June 07, 2011, 02:32:05 PM
Sounds good! While he's at perhaps he would explain to me (and any others who might be interested) why this bird is not a tundra swan. Please understand I'm not being difficult, but rather, am in constant and continuous pursuit of education. Coincidences do occur, and occur often, but I do believe an explanation with actual facts is warranted...
Let us unite in birdmanship!
All the best,
D.B.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by dbellilo »

Rob'in'To

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Reply #9 on: June 07, 2011, 07:28:41 PM
I reported a number of Trumpeter Swans the last couple years to good ol' Harry.  He's got the scoop on so many, and to find out where one has been tagged and reported through the years is pretty cool.  Some of these birds really get around!  

As for the bread feeding, I try politely to spread the word.  Strangers don't always take the advice so kindly though.  Friends on the other hand end up feeling guilt ridden.  It's got to be done though.

I think back to many many years ago, when I too would go and buy a bag of cheap white bread and feed the water fowl on a cold winters day, thinking I was doing them a world of good.  An old man came along and gave me some serious s**t over the evil thing I was unknowingly doing.  It wasn't a nice moment, I had some retaliation about crawling into the pine box waiting for him or some other drunken teenage banter... but something I thought about later on and made obvious sense.  As I said above, I try to POLITELY spread the word.  You get more bugs with honey than vinegar.  Sucks when it's one of my Facebook friends who does the bread thing with the wife and kids and then they feel like really bad people.  I tell them you didn't kill them, not that you know of...   :wink:
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Rob'in'To »
A birth certificate shows we were born.  A death certificate shows we died.  Pictures show we live.

dbellilo

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Reply #10 on: June 07, 2011, 08:51:19 PM
Attaboy, Rob...
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by dbellilo »

bernie2112

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Reply #11 on: June 07, 2011, 08:55:45 PM
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by bernie2112 »

dbellilo

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Reply #12 on: June 07, 2011, 09:54:04 PM
Thank you Bernie...that's good enough for me...
All the best,
David
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by dbellilo »

Al Johnston

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Reply #13 on: June 09, 2011, 01:43:24 PM
Hi again, David. Harry Lumsden, founder of the Trumpeter Swan Restoration Program would very much like to contact you. Would you mind e-mailing him at his daughter's address --- theholtentwo@hotmail.com --- I would consider it a personal favour if you would. Many thanks, Al
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by Al Johnston »

dbellilo

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Reply #14 on: June 09, 2011, 06:58:11 PM
Al, Of course...
Incidentally, I saw an honest-to-goodness tundra swan (untagged) standing right next to good old C24 today. It was a crazy sight to behold! I can now see what you're talking about, but I wonder if it's at all possible that this crazy bird is a hybrid? Anyhow, I'll be in touch with Harry.
All the best and thanks again for everyone's help...
David
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 07:00:00 PM by dbellilo »

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