September 6, 2026
Goodness only knows how frustrated as well as frightened I am with the tariffs, the war, the cost of building the arch for Trump, and the demolishing of the East Wing to be replaced with a bunker and ballroom for the White House. As a farm family member, the extreme cost of diesel fuel and nitrogen, along with the high cost of groceries, results in just plain worrying for those around us.
I will not use this space to whine. I have been knocking on the doors of neighbors in Boone County, listening to their many concerns, telling them their polling place, and leaving candidate literature. That is my rationale way of urging people to use their rights and vote on Nov. 3.
Rather, I am going to write about a seemingly lone trumpeter swan that has been visible about three miles west of our house. He or she is living in the waters of Snake Creek Marsh, often hiding in the rushes that are growing in the water. A magnificent white colored large bird. Very serene when swimming but becomes shy and ducks back into the grasses if I observe too long. I never leave the car, I never honk the horn, I even turn off the radio.
To provide a bit of background, trumpeter swans were very prevalent in Iowa but disappeared in the 1880’s because of diminished wetlands, the result of increased tiling and drainage systems and unregulated hunting.
In 1993 they were reintroduced into Iowa, and in 1998 a wild pair successfully hatched cygnets (baby swans). That was the first time in more than a century.
In research I learned they are the largest native waterfowl in North America and can weigh up to 25 pounds. Their wingspan is six feet or greater.
I know this swan is at least a second-year swan, as it is pure white and has a black bill. At hatching they are grayish brown, with a pinkish bill and remain a gray color the first year, though they become as large as their parents.
Swans usually form strong bonds with their mate and often return to the same wetland year after year. So, my musing is did this swan lose its mate? Or has it been unable to identify a mate?
Arriving home takes a bit longer, as I stop the car, roll down the window and watch or wait for the majestic white waterfowl to appear.
If you come to see him or her, do not get out of your car, or make an unusual noise. Be alert for other cars, as the gravel road seems to have lots of tracks near the edge of the road due to other observers.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is shared by Mary Weaver of rural Rippey.
