Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • Canada
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. Canada
  3. 2022
  4. October 23
  5. Mute swan in Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, near Valkenswaard, the Netherlands
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Mute swan in Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, near Valkenswaard, the Netherlands

October 23, 2022

Mute swan in Valkenhorst Nature Reserve, near Valkenswaard, the Netherlands

© David Pattyn/Minden Picture

An ugly duckling no more. Mute swan

The mute swan has become a symbol of beauty and elegance, thanks in no small part to the beloved fairy tale ‘The Ugly Duckling,’ about an awkward and unsightly duckling who upon growing up discovers he is actually a swan. The proverbial story is often used as a lesson in transformation and the relative nature of beauty. One glance at this swan, seen here holding a feather in a nature preserve in the Netherlands, and it‘s easy to see how the idiom, ‘graceful as a swan‘ came about.

Mute swans are native to Europe and are an introduced species to North America. Despite their name, mute swans do make sounds, although they tend to be less vocal than other swan species. The misnomer is also the source of the phrase ‘swan song,’ which refers to the final act or performance of a long career. Long ago, it was believed that swans sang a beautiful song shortly before their deaths after lifetimes of silence.

animal bird duck goose water outdoor aquatic bird swan lake water bird waterfowl pond geese and swans ducks

Related Images

Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, BrazilStriated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
Magellanic penguins, Volunteer Point, Falkland IslandsMagellanic penguins, Volunteer Point, Falkland Islands
Andean cocks-of-the-rock, EcuadorAndean cocks-of-the-rock, Ecuador
Yellow warbler in CanadaYellow warbler in Canada
Rufous hummingbird, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, CanadaRufous hummingbird, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada
Female black-naped monarch nestingFemale black-naped monarch nesting
Black heron canopy hunting, Chobe National Park, BotswanaBlack heron canopy hunting, Chobe National Park, Botswana
Southern yellow-billed hornbills in Kruger National Park, South AfricaSouthern yellow-billed hornbills in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Today on Bing

Madame Sherri Forest and the remnant of an old castle, New Hampshire, USA

Madame Sherri Forest and the remnant of an old castle, New Hampshire, USA

Oct 23, 2024
Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania

Corn maze in Saylorsburg, Pennsylvania

Oct 23, 2023
Eurasian scops owl in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic

Eurasian scops owl in Bohemian Switzerland National Park, Czech Republic

Oct 23, 2021
Old general store of Bents, Saskatchewan

Old general store of Bents, Saskatchewan

Oct 23, 2020
A polar bear family near the Hudson Bay in Churchill, Man.

A polar bear family near the Hudson Bay in Churchill, Man.

Oct 23, 2019

Related Tags

bird outdoor animal branch colorful tree perched flower plant grass yellow penguin pond water beach marine mammal shore red parrot tyrannid
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.