Mute Swans, so named because they are less vocal than other swans, nest on large mounds that they build with waterside vegetation in shallow water on islands in the middle or at the very edge of a lake. They are monogamous and often reuse the same nest each year, restoring or rebuilding it as needed. These guys are very territorial and show no compunction about attacking a human if it ventures too close to their nest, something I was careful to avoid doing. When this pair made eye contact with me, I decided it would be best to back up so as not to disturb them.