Mute swan

Description:

This mute swan struggled to become airborne on a cold and windy winter morning. The mute swan is one of the heaviest flying birds. Adults of this large swan can reach a 200 to 240 cm (79 to 94 in) wingspan. Watching them I often wonder how they manage to take off!

Habitat:

Spotted near the shore of a large central European lake.

Notes:

The two birds on the last shot were spotted at the same place on the same morning. The fisherman on the corner of the shot gives an idea of the bird's enormous wingspan.