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The Mute Swan
Watching mute swan’s…
A common sight they might be but there are few birds which stand out in quite the same way as the mute swan. Tall, white and very elegant they stand out from the crowd with their statesman like demenour, patrolling the waterways or guarding the river bank with consumate ease.
Despite being the largest of the swan family they are relatively human friendly. They may give out the odd warning hiss should you get too close but generally they seem at ease in our prescence and will happily sit in one area seemingly oblivious to outside inteference. I watched this particular one sat bolt upright in a field close to a river bank, depending on your monitor you might be able to pick out the water splashes as he shook his great long neck after a quick soak…..
Mute Swan
Mute swans will feast in fields of cereal and grass as well as the young aquatic plants below the water which is made all the more easy by their long necks when they ‘up end’ and dip their heads below the water close to the reed beds where they like to nest. Mute swans can be seen across the UK and much of Northern Europe and are easily identified by their bright orange bill.
I love to watch them in flight, they stand out on the skyline as their wings beat their way through the air with their huge wingspan, dominating yet supremely graceful….
Mute Swan’s in Flight
Great pictures - question is . . .
have you ever cooked one ?
October 20, 2009 @ 9:09 am
Miles,
Great photos - I should also have taken some. There are a couple of swans with 5 sygnets, who are now as big as their parents, on the river that I walk along most days. I am pleased to see that all the young have survived this year as previously only one or two were left.
They always sunbathe and preen themselves on the path that I walk on and the parents tend to hiss at me as I am passing
Anne
October 20, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
Rod,
No, that’s so last century
Miles
October 20, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
Anne,
Great news, something to cheer about on a grey day.
Thanks
Miles
October 20, 2009 @ 9:59 pm
Hi Miles!
Lovely shots!
I’ve spent hours watching the trumpeters in Yellowstone floating effortlessly over the lake, their heads standing 4 feet above the water, as the morning mist curls up.
After watching them, I kind of knew where mad King Ludwig got the idea of a swan-shaped boat. . .
Hoping all is well,
Laura
October 21, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
Laura,
I so envy you at Yellowstone, you’ve no idea how much. I think it must be the best place on earth.
All is well as can be expected thanks!!
Miles
October 21, 2009 @ 10:04 pm