Lengthening daylight hours and somewhat warmer temperatures have brought waterfowl back to the spray field at my workplace. Nesting behaviour hasn’t quite yet begun.
This Mute Swan, which species can be quite aggressive, tolerated me being about ten meters away. I moved on after taking this photo.
For the past three weeks, temperatures have been mostly mildly below freezing to well below. The St. Clair River has largely frozen over so open water is limited. As a result, overwintering waterfowl been compressed into small spaces. I saw in this small open water area Mute Swan, Tundra Swan, Canada Goose, Redhead, Bufflehead, and possibly another species.
I understand that the correct word for young swans is cygnets. Nonetheless, since young ducks are called ducklings and young geese are called goslings, I often think of young swans as swanlings.
Here are four Mute Swan swanlings with their parents. It is interesting that three of them are grey morphs. It was also interesting that they did not move away when a companion and I appeared from behind a screen of phragmites.
A Mute Swan hovers in the distance, on the far side of the pond.
I came across this juvenile Mute Swan during a walk. It hissed so I maintained a respectful distance while wondering if it was in distress, being as it was about 100 meters from the pond where I previously saw it many times. It may have tired while trying out its wings.
I went past the spot a while later and it was gone so I assume it found its way to a more suitable habitat.
Mute Swans shepherd their seven cygnets.
Two Mute Swans dabble for good bits.
Sometimes humans grumble about life. It’s hot, it’s cold, it’s wet, it’s dry, it’s [fill in the blank]. I’m not immune.
These Mute Swans know nothing about the human senses of liking, disliking, grumbling. It is a sunny and mild day, they are safe, so it’s a good time to doze.
That is a good lesson. Accept what is given and be grateful.
previouslytexan 