Trumpeter swans, all eight feet of them, are a rare sight that few are lucky enough to witness in their lifetime. The city of Monticello, then, can consider itself lucky. More than 700 trumpeter swans migrate to the warm open waters of the Mississippi every year, leading to the recent Swan Park, a haven for photographers, nature enthusiasts, and die-hard romantics.

One look at the elegant, pure white birds and you’ll understand how trumpeter swans have earned their reputation as one of the most romantically inspiring birds in existence. Once hunted to near extinction, the now 16,000 birds are a mark of the triumph of nature.

Stop by Swan Park with your loved one and let the natural, beautiful spirit of these graceful creatures infuse your own relationship with magnificence and true romance.