A mute swan reflected on tranquil waters May 24, 2026

A mute swan reflected on tranquil waters

Swans are admired for their looks, but there is more going on than a calm, graceful glide over the water. These strong, territorial birds have a long history of human involvement. Introduced to Canada from Europe in the 1870s for parks and estates, mute swans established feral populations that now live year-round in parts of Ontario and beyond.

© Don White/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Where history comes alive
An island park for everyone
May 24, 2024Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park
May 24, 2025European Day of Parks

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan. 9, 2026Muir Woods National Monument, California, United States
Nov. 5, 2025Peña Roya beech forest, Moncayo Natural Park, Aragon, Spain
Bryce Canyon hoodoos in winter
Dec. 20, 2023Val Gardena, South Tyrol, Dolomites, Italy
Sep. 21, 2024Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
Get in tune with International Jazz Day
Secluded sands in Mexico
Apr. 13, 2025Songkran—Thai New Year
Mar. 4, 2026Purple crocus flowers, Seven Rila Lakes, Bulgaria
Oct. 23, 2023Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania
A day for giving
A window to the Pacific
Jan. 15, 2026The fishing village of Reine, Norway
Nov. 2, 2024American bison
Jul. 1, 2024Canada Day
Spirit of the Puffing Wind
Aug. 24, 2025European fallow deer in England
Mar. 14, 2026Celebrating Pi Day
Sep. 29, 2025Rainbow houses, Houten, Netherlands
Apr. 15, 2024World Art Day
Unbe-leaf-able
Saving and celebrating honey bees
Jul. 31, 2025Kalalau Beach on the Nā Pali Coast, Kauai, Hawaii, United States
Swinging over Munich
Sep. 27, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Sep. 28, 2023World Maritime Day
Mar. 17, 2024St. Patricks Day
Our forgotten forests
Leaf-peeping Southern style
Jun. 22, 2025World Rainforest Day