Trumpeter Swans on a Winter’s Eve

A coveted silence drenches the deep valley. Winter at it’s finest. With closed eyes, I discern the
distant white noise of a creek flowing beneath the snow. Alongside one of the small lakes, a
coyote crosses the ice on the opposite shore, noticing my presence as well. As early dusk
descends, a small flock of Canadian geese flies overhead, their honking resonating against the
steep valley walls—a common sight during this season. The geese are nearing a lake that has a
unique nearly musical echo emanating from it. The chatter of trumpeter swans who have made
this pond home for the winter. Evening light fades and the swans move to various nearby water
sources that have not frozen, greeting each other with loud echoing calls. Moments of silence
are equally piercing in this winter valley.



Recorded by Nick McMahan in the Washington River