During my two walks through the Donau-Auen National Park in Vienna, Austria I encountered Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) in several locations swimming about and foraging for food. Their beauty and grace was remarkable and their white feathers were dazzling—it is easy to see why they have inspired music and ballet. Through the reeds I also spotted a female swan sitting on a nest. I would love to have seen baby swans, but I guess it’s still a bit too early.
As I was doing a little research, I was a bit surprised to learn that Mute Swans are not native to North America—they are an introduced species. I grew up outside of Boston, Massachusetts and my earliest memories of swans are the pedal-powered swan boats in the Boston Public Garden. According to Wikipedia, those swan boats have been in operation since 1877.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
If I remember correctly those swan boats in Boston look a lot like the bird in that first photo.
You’re absolutely right, Allen. The guy who is pedaling and steering the boat sits inside of the swan. I haven’t thought about them for a long time and probably last rode in one during the 1960’s.