I've been growing more interested in fests that
had something to do with nature. My interest was
piqued when I had picked up an article about Trumpeter
swans having their stay at a certain Magness Lake
in Heber Springs.
The swans are large birds with an average weight
of around 25-30 pounds, and very wide wingspans.
Most of them are white, with contrasting colors
for their beaks, area surrounding the eyes and
feet.
These swans, apparently, have taken an interest
to have their vacation in this area, coming from
the areas of Alaska up north.
They have never ventured far south, reaching the
state of Arkansas. Story claims that it had started
with three swans, around the year 1991. That's
when the numbers increased over the years, until
they had reached up far over 100 swans per visit.
The swan-viewing, due to lack of publicity or
any other reason, isn't much of a formal event
as it is a collated event for most birdwatchers.
The swans will just arrive one day and everyone
would be there. They usually stay in the water
or around the edges of the lake. You'd know they'd
be there because of the honking around the area.
Most people would stay in the road by the lake,
since the view is nice as well. The swans would
eat anything given to them, but the most appropriate
feed would be shelled corn; something which could
be easily brought from the town feed shop. Makes
for some decent income for the town too. Perhaps
the town could consider making it a formal festival
in under a few years.
Swans are best viewed around afternoon, when the
sun is cool and the heat and glare are bearable.
It's also the time when they are in flight, so
it's a dramatic sight seeing a whole flock of
birds in mid-air before landing back in the lake.
They'd have finished eating by then, so it's a
good time for viewing the birds.
I've been growing more interested in fests that
had something to do with nature. My interest was
piqued when I had picked up an article about Trumpeter
swans having their stay at a certain Magness Lake
in Heber Springs.
About the Author
Arkansas is fast becoming a site for nature festivals!
Ian Kleine suggests Arkansas
craft fairs.
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