My geocaching friends have accused me of being a collector of random facts. They have nicknamed me Sullipedia and sometimes seem to be cautious not to ask too many questions for fear of me spilling out random facts. When given the chance, I share my compartmentalized factoids in what I refer to as Editions. Since no one asked me any questions about Trumpeter Swans, I am using my virtual credit to hold a captive audience on this subject. If you don't like random fact about swans, feel free to stop reading now!!
1) Trumpeter Swans are the largest waterfowl in the world measuring 4.5 to 6 feet in length.
2) Trumpeter Swans weigh between 21 and 35 pounds with a wingspan of 6 to 8 feet.
3) They can have a life span of 25-30 years.
4) They often form pair bonds when 3 to 4 years of age and usually mate for "reproductive life" or the death of a mate.
5) Nesting occurs between 4 to 7 years of age on secure marshes or ponds.
6) In late April, 3 to 9 off-white eggs are laid with an incubation time of about 33 days, with nest sitting only done by the female.
7) Baby Trumpeters are called cygnets and are various stages of grey with pink coloring on their middle beak until late winter.
8) By June the year following their birth, cygnets are pure white like their parents with totally black beaks.
9) For all their beauty in flight and on the water, the Trumpeter does not maneuver well in the air because of its huge size.
To get credit for this virtual, please read these random facts and answer the following questions:
1) Why does this section of the Mississippi River not freeze in the winter?
2) Other than Trumpeter Swans, What other 2 species of swans are occasionally seen at this location?
3) What is the woman's name whom the swans found a friend in in 1986?
4) Please take a picture of your geocaching group or a geocaching item on the overlook and include it in your log!!
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.