Swans: a love story part 4 by danapommet

Photography • Animals • posted on Jul 16, 2009

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Description

This is the same family as yesterday’s posting - about three months later. That is Edwina giving you her best profile. Note that the feathers and bills are developing differently on each swan. All of the dark bills are turning orange at about the same rate but the female’s feathers are now whiter than the males. One of the young females has been missing for almost a week and there are no remains to be found. I’m guessing that someone used a net to catch a swam for themselves. One of the males, number 4, is not in this photo. He seems to float around the marsh without a purpose. He has not been taking part in the “flying” lessons either. Not that any have become airborne yet. I’m thinking that #4 is a little on the slow side and has been named “drifty”. You can see by the color of the reeds that summer is over and Fred is beginning to push the young, to venture off on their own. The flying lessons are getting more frequent. Swans feed in the water and on land. They are almost entirely herbivorous. In the water, food is obtained by up-ending or dabbling, and that diet is composed of the roots, tubers, stems and leaves of aquatic and submerged plants. I still use two loaves of wheat bread a day but only Edwina & Fred will eat out of my hand. The youngsters will only eat wet bread. Some information from Wikipedia. Thanks for stopping by, taking a look and for all your previous comments & favs. Dana

Comments (37)

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mgtcs

4:42PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Beautiful scene, perfect capture, love the lighting! 10+

PD154

4:48PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Another winning shot and narrative Dana, well done!

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JaneEden

5:01PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Dana this is such a beautiful scene, a true swan lake picture to be sure. I have been looking at your other pics and they are all very beautiful, I really love swans, they are so graceful and such magnificent creatures. Also it is so interesting watching how the youngsters, grow and develop. hugs Jane xx

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THROBBE

5:12PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Super cool Dana! Excellent work!

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nigh23

5:20PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

wow this is excellent

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jimw1

5:34PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Super post' great shot' thanks for the insight into the Swans behavior'.... Jim

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ShadowsNTime

5:55PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Oh this is awesome, great info and observations and a very beautiful shot! Bravo Dana! (lynn)Thank you for the fav on Bitty Baby, and for liking her story. The story is exactly how it happened, I just let her tell it:-)

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orig_buggy

6:27PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Beautiful family!!!!!!!

MrsLubner

6:48PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Wonderful story and without the words I can imagine it all from the composition. Very well done!

frankie96

6:56PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Nature's cycle's continue..great series...

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myrrhluz

9:12PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Beautiful picture and interesting story. The reflections of the plant stalks look great in full-size.

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skiwillgee

9:13PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

I just browsed your gallery and read all your narratives. This is truly a love story. Amazing. There was a single swan living on the lake which I live. I never saw its mate. My guess it had lost its mate and lived a life of solitude now. Knowing the stories of swan's power and territorial tendencies, I always gave it a wide berth.

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sandra46

9:52PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

fantastic, peaceful scene, great capture!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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flavia49

9:53PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

very beautiful!!!!

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beachzz

10:32PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Another beautiful shot, with even more great info--thanks!!

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MrsRatbag

11:01PM | Thu, 16 July 2009

Wow, how wonderful to be able to follow their progress!

whaleman

3:31AM | Fri, 17 July 2009

Very interesting that the females go white before the males. This is a beautiful photo, as well as a great story!

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flora-crassella

3:37AM | Fri, 17 July 2009

wonderful scene!!!! Great photo!

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jendellas

4:47AM | Fri, 17 July 2009

Edwina & Fred should be very proud of their beautiful family. I hope the other female is ok & being looked after. In the winter we see loads of swans in one of the fields, they seem to have a convention. :o)

tpx1

5:41AM | Fri, 17 July 2009

beautiful capture

MC-Jay-One

6:07AM | Fri, 17 July 2009

Wonderful shot!

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