Mute Swan at the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes or The Splendid Dunes (Holland)

The Mute Swan is a species of swan and a member of the waterfowl family Anatidae. It is native to much of Eurasia, and (as a rare winter visitor) the far north of Africa. It is an introduced species in North America, Australasia and southern Africa. The name 'mute' derives from it being less vocal than other swan species. This large swan is wholly white in plumage with an orange beak bordered with black. It is recognisable by its pronounced knob atop the beak, which is larger in males.

The "Amsterdamse Waterleidingduinen" (AWD) or the Amsterdam Water Supply Dunes, better known in English as The Splendid Dunes,
is one of the largest dune areas in the Netherlands; a large part is used for the collection of drinking water for Amsterdam. It has a considerable landscape variety (from open sand to woodland) and a rich flora and fauna. These dunes supply drinking water for the city of Amsterdam. More than 50 million cubic meters of drinking water flow through the dunes, which encompass 3400 hectares. This is the oldest water extraction site in the Netherlands and has been in use since 1853. The area is open to the public for hiking, including off the paths; therefore, this area is a unique opportunity for nature lovers to explore this typical Dutch landscape.