Wildlife writer and photographer Dan Keel will discuss and celebrate the mute swan, Britain's most iconic breed. He will explore the bird's significance across myth and history alongside vivid observations on its habits and habitats. The swan is both a lover and a fighter. A graceful angel and a clumsy oaf. Immortalized by artists over the ages yet misunderstood and threatened in the present day. Dan has been captivated by these birds since boyhood, studying their contrasting qualities over more than three decades. He's spent countless hours documenting their power, beauty and vulnerability as a writer of nature journalism, as a wildlife photographer looking for the perfect shot, and as a pilot sharing the skies. In this labour of love, Dan will speak up for the mute, answering the essential questions about its nature and its future. Along the way, weaving his first-hand observations into the narrative, he will show us how swans have been portrayed in myth, art and culture for millennia, and how they have been venerated and imitated as well as harmed by humans. Does anybody still eat swan? Can a swan really break your arm? Does the Queen own them all? With an eye for the humour as well as the tragedy of the swan's story, Dan will lay out the facts, guide us to our lakes and riverbanks, and urge us to see these familiar creatures in a fresh light.
