A few nights ago, my daughter and I went for an evening stroll to our local lake. A family of mute swans patrolled the perimeter, the parents hissing at anyone who dared to stand too close. I must admit, while I find the cygnets adorable, adult swans make me very nervous.
Swans are family orientated. The male and female usually stay together for many years, sometimes for life. The male helps build the nest and look after the babies. A stark comparison would be Mallards; a couple here, also doing a turn around the lake. While they look like the perfect couple, I've read that the male will only stay with the female until she lays her eggs; then he'll be off to find another female, or even, occasionally, a male.
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The sun soon slid down the sky, leaving a beautiful glow on the water. As the ducks made their way to their nests, I linked arms with my daughter and we headed home to ours.
Twas lovely, thanks mum! <3 xx
ReplyDeleteIt was indeedy ;) xx
DeleteA lovely stroll by the look of it Omi! No need to be too nervous of Swans, that story about them breaking your arm is just a myth you know ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat is weird to us is perfectly normal to a Mallard!
J
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It was a perfect evening, John :) I'll try and be brave around the swans ;) Mallards certainly look happy enough, love their cheery faces!
DeleteThose cygnets are ;ovely but you are right...don't get too close else the adults will start making themselves 'big' and begin hissing at you!
ReplyDeleteHi Jason, they came from the other side of the lake just to hiss at me, I'm sure of it, lol! I took a photo, then ran for it! Nature blogging is a dangerous hobby!
DeleteI'm laughing at your reply to Jason ;-) I too have always been a little wary of swans, they certainly can be rather threatening, beautiful creatures though and those little cygnets are gorgeous! It looked and sounded a very pleasant evening stroll and you took some lovely photos, the last scene looks very peaceful.
ReplyDelete:D I couldn't find my way up the bank quick enough, ShySongbird; meanwhile, my daughter shrugs, rolls her eyes at me and saunters on. Thank you, yes, it was peaceful, one of those special moments you remember.
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