Cygnets Swim

Now that the cygnets are hatched their parents moved house. It could be because the other bird life trashed the next pecking through every broken eggshell for titbits. What ever the reason, the new 'base' on which to stay the night is across the lake in a much more inaccessible spot. The nest was made quickly within hours and they were off again grazing the lake and pulling up plant matter for the cygnets to feed on. I made another video of the action these past few days. It can be viewed HERE.

The news has got around the local community and real interest has been kindled. This is good news for people who are not coping well with COVID isolation and sharing the joy of new life at the wetland will help to stave off the risks to their mental health. It is a positive and genuine community event and everyone is happy. It's like visiting the local zoo for free. 

 

Cygnets!

 

This story has a happy ending. It is not always the case. A few years ago a huge rainstorm washed that swan nest away. This year I saw the very best outcome possible - six healthy cygnets hatched out of six eggs laid. One of these babies hatched a day earlier than the rest but the nesting adult swan was able to keep it protected under its wing while keeping the remaining eggs warm. I have edited together a collection of video clips of the three days leading up to their birth and subsequent excursion into the wetland waters with their parents. The video can be viewed HERE. My brother composed and played the accompanying music. 

If you look very carefully, you'll be able to notice the tiny sharp horny point at the end of the cygnet beaks. This has been cleverly designed to scratch the inner side of the egg to cause a crack to occur. That's an amazing piece of forethought in the design of Life. 

Herron present is symbolic of the 'Stalk bringing in the babies'.

I'm wondering whether these adult feathers have been left loose for the cygnets to play with.

OK kids. The sun is warm enough. Lets go for an excursion.

This swan family has a very large following of excited humans who come each day to get a wellbeing lift, to experience a story that is really good news, not like what everyone is hearing in the media 24/7. 

Wetland Life

 

It's a bit lucky to find a stray kangaroo in the vicinity of the wetland that I visit. This was was a large one so I was careful not to go too close in case it became defensive and possibly dangerous. What was concerning was that it seemed to not be well. This close up of its face shows that it has an eye infection. It would definitely kick up a fuss if a vet tried to treat the eye, so I just hope it is able to fight off the infection. 

Now onto the wetland itself. It is a serene place with a curved boardwalk across the main patch of water. It feels like a secret world where humans and animals share something in trust with nature. This kind of place is good for a visitor's wellbeing. 

These Moorhens were hanging around the swan next like they were waiting for something. I hope they did not have intentions of harming the cygnets still to hatch. I'm starting to think they are the reason for the demise of the Eurasian Coot chicks back in April. I wonder... 

Ah, the reason for visiting the wetland so many times lately has been so see how the swan nesting couple are getting along. At the time of this visit, the male (?) was swimming about while the other was keeping the eggs warm. A passerby told me that there was about a week to go before the hatching. Certainly all six eggs were intact when the nesting swan stood to move a few about. There was a general feeling of expectation and hope amongst the people who came to check the nest out, like I was doing. I didn't just take still photos. I made a number of video recordings and coupled them together into one with music composed by by brother Phillip. This video can be viewed HERE. Enjoy.