One day last week, I was puttering around in our garage, and the side door was open. I looked up to see “Antoine, The Swan”, standing just outside.
I recorded this little video of his visit. A couple of notes before you view it: 1) The galvanized garbage can to the left of the door is where we store the corn we feed to the ducks and swan. 2) I apologize for the humming noise in the background. Our air conditioner units are located in the garage. And 3) Watch toward the end of the video as he turns to his left and gets his big ol’ feet tangled up.
I was curious about the snorting sound he makes, so I did some research and found this: “Although they don’t have a “call”, they have a remarkable assortment of sounds to convey a broad range of emotions, from a gentle ‘bleat’ through a range of puppy-like barking notes, and a head-to-tail long snort sometimes combined with head-raising and feathers fluffed, to register delight.”.
Isn’t that cool? Antoine The Swan is delighted with me.
Some other facts about mute swans *:
Swans are highly intelligent and remember who has been kind to them, or not.
Mute swans have sharp vision and hearing.
A mute swan’s neck has 23 vertebrae, more than any other bird.
A swan has some 25,000 feathers.
A swan in a protected environment might live as long as 30 years.
Hmm… I guess we’ll be keeping that garbage can stocked with corn for many years to come….
* Info found on Stanley Park Swans web-site.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 
What a GREAT video – love his “voice” – they sure are graceful on water and just a bit “klutzy” on land!! He obviously approves of your choice of corn!
Pam
I couldn’t get the video to work (probably my PC), but I loved the facts, and the fact that he is delighted with you :). MJ
Hi, MJ, The video won’t play on my computer if I use the AOL provider, but if I switch to Chrome, it will. Perhaps Internet Explorer?
Fascinating … absolutely fascinating! Great work, Dianna (and Antoine).
I have never been that close to a swan before! Fantastic video Dianna! And who wouldn’t be “delighted” to know you? 🙂
Is there a way to know if it’s a he or a she? He/she is so handsome. Have you seen Bride and Groom Swans? If not…lets just assume they sent Antoine to you.
Just wonderful that you were able to film. Thank you!
What a great video! He knows who loves him! And I think he loves you back!
I had trouble with the vid, too, but I’m using I.E. .. I’ll try Chrome in a minute..
but I’ve been there when he knocked on the door, so I know how cool he is !
Wow how neat is that! Love it.
Well, of course he’s delighted with you! Who wouldn’t be? Especially when you feed them yummy stuff! He’s very ‘talkative’ too!
I’m thinking it won’t be long before he has his own spot at the table! Yes, I’m pretty sure he said he was delighted!
That was very interesting… and I really enjoyed watching the video. Wish I had a swan nearby. Guess I will be content with my other birds.
AAWWWWW! Absolutely wonderful. He’s definitely won our hearts over – inaddition to your, obviously.
Why would he not be delighted with you? You are his best friend! What a lovely video and a lovely friend. Thanks for sharing all the swan facts—I had no idea!