An elegant creature for a majestic setting. These all-white birds with yellow-and-black bills, gliding on the mirror of Lake Kussharo in Japan, are the Eurasian whooper swans, also known as the common swan. Named for their loud "whooping" call, these beauties, with a wingspan between 2 to 3 metres, are one of the world"s heaviest birds that can fly. While whooper swans are Finland"s national bird, they only spend their breeding season there. Those swans, as well as others in various northern areas migrate to warmer, often coastal areas when cold weather sets in. All that travel doesn"t ruin their relationships—these waterfowl form strong, monogamous pairs that can last for life.
Whooper swans
Today in History
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Serene waters on a trembling earth
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Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, USA
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World Jellyfish Day
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World Space Week begins
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Farewell Ma’am
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Glastonbury Festival begins
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Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy
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Val di Funes, Italy
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A puzzle for giants
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Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
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Grasmere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
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Whos snoozing?
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Moon Day
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Nature at its colourful best
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The oldest way to fly
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Piecing together a better tomorrow
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Starling murmuration over the ruins of Brightons West Pier, England
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Tree of Life, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
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Protecting the gentle giants
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Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United States
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Salt evaporation ponds on the island of Gozo, Malta
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Hobbit Day
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Alam-Pedja Nature Reserve, Estonia
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What returned to this city 500 years ago?
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Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia, Wales
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Coco Beach, Goa, India
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Skyscraper Day
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The Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
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On a dark and stormy night...
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Canada Day
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

