I don’t think it would be a stretch for me to say this pair of mute swans is probably the most loved, watched, and photographed in the entire Quinte Area. 2011 marks my 4th year watching them. Each Spring they return to nest on a privately owned pond/marsh area on 2nd Dug Hill Road in Quinte West.
Oh to have a place like this on my own property – that would be HEAVEN! I’ve approached my husband, on more than one occasion, about building our own pond. To date I have been rejected on every front. I don’t know why he has to be so practical! <sigh>
Due to last year’s heartbreak on the pond (and the year before that) I fully admit to keeping my distance from the swans a bit more this year. It just hurts too much to see their adorable cygnets disappear one by one as the cruel grip of raw nature takes one life to fulfill the needs of another. I swear to God these events rip my heart out! I’m in therapy now and doing much better (sort of….not really) – but thanks for asking ;)
I’d heard rumors that the swans still had one cygnet left this season so I decided I would go visit before he mysteriously disappeared. I named him Junior. I probably shouldn’t do that as it makes a loss that much harder to bare.
I waited for 4 hours for this moment (a moment which, of course, lasted less than 30 seconds). What could have been a perfect family swan portrait was cluttered (every single shot I took) by this silly red-winged blackbird. He flew, fluttered, and dived in and around the male swan for every second this brief family moment lasted for! <heavy sigh of frustration> Such is the way with nature photography. You simply never know what’s going to happen if anything at all.
One just needs to remember to enjoy each moment given..along with the unexpected surprises. It does look rather silly doesn’t it. It does make me smile – maybe it will bring a smile to your face too. :)
- Mute Swans – Family Portrait
In all the times I’ve watched these swans I have never seen this before and am not entirely sure what the blackbird was doing. I can only guess he was going after insects and using the male swan as a landing & launching pad! The male swan was tolerant…to a point.
Enjoy your week everyone. Hold close and appreciate the special things you encounter each day, no matter how small. You just never know how long you have to enjoy it.
think of it as a comedy sketch Renee !………..it is funny
other photo a ..holics might think this is quite the catch, 4 for the price of 3
one little cygnet, hmm……….i wonder if the nasty weather we had ruined the eggs
It does make me chuckle…lol I wonder about the other eggs too!