Swan ID based on leg thickness and foot size

[Joe Roller]

Many years ago I noticed that adult swans standing on ice

were differentiated by leg and feet size, especially when they (the swans,

not the legs) were standing near each other.

Trumpeter: thick legs and feet like swim fins

Tundra: thinner legs, smaller feet.

These features are easy to see in the fine photos from yesterday.

As a lyric in the Fats Waller song (Your feels too big!) points out:

"Your pedal extremities are colossal!"  (sung to a Trumpeter)

Joe Roller, Denver

amateur podiatrist

Another stanza goes:

"There were four of us, me, your big feet and you!

From your ankles up, I'd say you sure look sweet;

From there down there's just too much feet".

Of course, that sort of body shaming was acceptable in the 1930's. 

This year, not so much.