Elk Rapids Almanac - April 2018
 
​April 8- I saw these trumpeter swans on the 'Kids Fishing Pond' across from the Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor on a Sunday afternoon walk to the Library. _Janice Shurte

Here is a bit of research from the internet:
Trumpeter swans are all white with a black bill and face.  They are the world's largest waterfowl.  They prefer nesting sites with little human disturbance.  They coexist with geese and ducks.  Their 'call' is a resonating hollow, nasal honking.  They are thought to mate for life.  
 
Mute swans are identified by an orange bill, black face and black knob at the base of the bill.  They are an aggressive swan species, from Europe, known to drive Trumpeter swans and other waterfowl out of their wetland breeding areas. (these are what we see most of the time)

50 years ago Trumpeter swans were perched on the brink of extinction.  Today government and conservation organizations and Indians are working to reintroduce them and it is successful in Michigan.  There has been a dramatic change from none in 1986 to 756 Trumpeters now in Michigan waters. They hope shortly to remove them from the State threatened and endangered
species. _Janice Shurte