Nature Walk: Trumpeter Swans

Trumpeter swans are majestic birds. Here we see a pair on a final approach for landing. For birds weighing more than 25 pounds, their large wingspans of 5 to 6 feet are extremely important. In this view one can see the curved shape of the birds’ wings. Air flowing over the top of a wing travels faster, reducing pressure, as opposed to the air traveling under a wing, which travels more slowly and is of higher pressure. This difference in pressure provides lift. The speed of flight and surface area of wings are also factors in the lift produced in the many different sizes and shapes of birds.

Did you know that engineers use the same curved wing shape to keep airplanes aloft that allows birds to soar through the skies? Learn more about the unique science of flight on this morning’s Nature Walk!

If you are interested in purchasing a print or requesting information on possible use for any of the photographs featured on our Nature Walk postings, please contact Carl at cpkurtz@netins.net.