Sunday Swans

The swans are back. While the ice was on the small lake near our house the swans and the Canada geese were both trying to lay claim to the nesting rights. In this photo from a previous post you can see the swans on the left and the Canada goose is circled on the right.

We walk past this lake almost every day and for about a week it looked like the geese had won. We only saw two geese and no swans. I was surprised as swans have nested here for several years. But then there was a showdown! A neighbor reported that they had a real argy bargy!

But this week I think the swans have been victorious. One came over to see what we were doing and the other remained at a distance.

You can see in the photo above that the swan has a yellow tag on his wing. I am not a swan expert but I believe this is a Trumpeter swan. They were endangered but now their numbers have increased.However in certain States in the US there are hefty fines for shooting a Trumpeter swan. A couple of years ago, in the autumn, I noticed the young swans had the numbered yellow tags. I wonder if this is one of them?

Over the summer I will watch for babies to appear and then will be counting them every time I see them. Some years the babies all survive to fly away in the fall but other years some are taken by predators.

Stay well and have a safe week ahead.

Comments

27 responses to “Sunday Swans”

  1. popsiclesociety Avatar

    So beautiful and delicate creatures 🦢

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      They are beautiful and they can also be fierce when defending their territory. They saw off the Canada Geese!

      Liked by 1 person

  2. aghisla Avatar

    Hello to the swans! I wish them a successful nesting season, the lake in spring is really beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you. Today I saw that they have their best site . It is a good distance from the road and concealed in the reeds.

      Like

      1. aghisla Avatar

        Wonderful! I wish them the best on that carefully chosen spot. In the meanwhile, the pigeons took all the branches away from the nest on my windowsill and built another nest on a neighbour’s windowsill 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Subbashini Meenakshi Sundaram Avatar

    Peaceful place full of beauty, wonderful pictures and information about swan

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      I am so glad you liked the swans. Stay well Subbashini.

      Like

  4. Centered in the Saddle Avatar

    How lovely! We have a nesting pair of Canada geese on our river. We just saw the goslings for the first time this weekend! Adorable little fluffs. We think there are around 6 but they’ve been sticking to a tight group so far, so it’s hard to tell. It’s a welcome sign of spring!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      That is good to hear.

      Like

  5. Gavin and Wyatt Avatar

    We too are lucky to get swans as they migrate their way up north. Beautiful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      They are elegant birds. And they defend their territory strenuously!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Gavin and Wyatt Avatar

        Territory? …I will keep my distance.

        Like

        1. anne leueen Avatar

          Yes they can really be intimidating when they start to open their wings and flap and make themselves look very large and threatening. They won the nesting rights on the small lake by driving off the Canada Geese and those geese are not sissies!

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Gavin and Wyatt Avatar

            Good real estate can create competition in house hunting couples.

            Liked by 1 person

  6. Avery Avatar

    stunningly beautiful ❤ thank you

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      You are most welcome Avery!

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Tina Schell Avatar

    Who knew you were a bird sleuth Anne! Loved your perspective on the swan v goose situation! Hope there are cygnets on your blog soon

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      The swans nest in seclusion and their usual spot can barely be seen from the road. If memory serves they sit on the nest for quite some time and then the little fluffies appear. I will be sure to post something when I see them.

      Like

  8. dprastka Avatar

    The swans are so BEAUTIFUL! And the area is also beautiful. Your photos are wonderful! Have a wonderful week! ❤️🤠

    Like

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you so much Diana. You have a good week too. Stay well!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Amy Avatar

    So graceful. Beautifully captured.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Amy. They are graceful creatures.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. susiesopinions Avatar

    Aren’t they elegant. Great photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. anne leueen Avatar

      Thank you Susie!

      Like

  11. Zeeshan Amin Avatar
    Zeeshan Amin

    Welcome back to the beauties:) lovely pics 👍

    Liked by 1 person

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