A VISIT TO THE HORICON MARSH

In autumn I like to drive to the Horicon Marsh in search of migrating waterfowl.  Typically it's hundreds of thousands of migrating geese from Canada that spend time here to fatten up for the rest of their journey to southern wintering waters.  Horicon is the largest fresh-water cattail marsh in the United States covering some 33 square miles in area...thats about 85+ sq. kilometers.  You can learn about the marsh here:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horicon_Marsh
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It's a bit early for the hoards of geese to arrive in abundance but there are others who have nested here over summer and have yet to start the move south.  Many varieties of ducks, cormorants, egrets and sandhill cranes abound with a few white pelicans as well.
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Occasionally we get some Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) to nest in the confines of the cattails but they are quite unusual outside of migrating times. They are the largest of the North American swans and are "occasional" visitors to our area...however, they do migrate through the area on their way south.  
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It's larger than the Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) a.k.a. Whistling Swan which also migrates through the area to take advantage of the food availability in the marsh.
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Obviously, this pair has nested in the area as can be seen by the cygnets gathered around them.  Lovely birds...and it's a real treat to see them take off as they are heavy birds with long wings, over 5 feet (135cm) and they have to run along the water's surface for quite a way in order to get airborne.
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Best in Large.