1991 Press Photo Trumpeter swan getting ready for take off, Madison, WI

A trumpeter swan goes through a preflight check before taking off from ice-covered Lake Monona recently in Madison. The bird joined others heading south. This trumpeter swan has had enough of Wisconsin's snow and ice. It's spread its wings just minutes before he and five other swans took off from Madison's Lake Monona for points south. The swans spent a few days on layover but as their area of water gradually became ice-bound, they groomed themselves, squawked a few squawks at each other, and then formed a line, marching south. They all then abruptly turned to the north, took off in formation and then swooped to the south into the sun.

Photo measures 10 x 8 inches. Photo is dated 12-28-1991.

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