Mute Swans are a quite large and unmistakable waterbird.
Commonly viewed in the northeast, more during the summer but I do see some in the winter.
Sexes are alike...the adult male has pure white plumage and a large black basal knob.
The female is similar but has a smaller basal knob.
They are primarily silent but will hiss if alarmed and especially when protecting their nest.
Mute Swans mate for life and it is currently nesting season...
I think this is a female sitting on the nest.
The swans share incubation duties,
but the female, (pen) does the majority of the sitting and the male, (cob) guards the nest from predators.
This nest is on an island, in the center of a lake, near our home,
Swans are believed to return to the same nesting site and often the same nesting mound,
year after year.
Mute swans are very intelligent and can remember and recognize human faces from one year to the next.
If these are the same swans, which I believe they are,
they remembered me from past years and did not feel threatened.
I will return frequently, so they can show me their babies!
Sharing today images with Eileen at
for Saturdays Critters
12 comments:
They're beautiful. What a treat to get to watch them.
That is so sweet they remember you. A lovely post, swans are a fascinating bird.
May
There's something very calming about the Swan. Your images are wonderful.
Hello Debbie,
Great post and information on the Mute Swans.
They are beautiful birds, I am sure they are great parents and protective of their nest. Lovely collection of photos.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
How cool. Can't wait to see the babies.
Hi Debbie :)
The Mute Swan is an elegant water bird and your photos are excellent. I have a special fondness for birds that stay together for life.
All the best
Sonjia.
They are such elegant birds and your pics are wonderful.
Great photographs Debbie, I enjoyed them.
All the best Jan
They are so pretty, how nice that they have an island to nest on, that will help from quite a few predators I would think.
These swans are beautiful.
Excellent photos of the swan. I hope you can see her babies soon.
I cannot believe they are on the nest already!
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