New Life - Baby Swans

Between family responsibilities and uncooperative weather, I haven't been able to get out to take pictures this week, so I once again dug into my files. Last year I visited to a National Wildlife Refuge in upstate New York. Prior to leaving on this trip, I had been watching some nesting swans at a nearby pond here at home. Upon return, I discovered that there were now eight tiny babies.

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It appeared that the babies had emerged that very day

Luck was really on my side, because the swans had been nesting across the pond, but for some reason, they had moved the cygnets to the closer side, so I was able to get very close to them.
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The babies were a mass of soft downy feathers

. And some of them were already very alert
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The tired Mama and Papa took turns watching them and sleeping

.So graceful

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This was the best I could do for a picture of all of them, due to the proximity of the road and a steep drop off to where they were situated

The very next day, I went back to the pond and they were again in the same location. They posed for me and didn't seem to mind my presence one little bit, which surprised me, because swans can be very aggressive, and usually are when it comes to protecting their nesting areas and young

Instead, they were relaxed and I watched them grooming

The babies were all cuddled together and looking very sweet

This one popped its little head up, curiously looking around

Could anything be more precious?

This one seemed to like sitting in the shallow water

And they seemed to take turns alternating between sleep and looking around their new world

. I enjoyed watching them, but it was time to leave them in peace.

Goose Play 4 - Swan Goose Lake

This page is part Four of "Goose Play" on the farm
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Part One is here
Part Two is here

Part Three is here

If you click on the pictures, you can see them larger

. This farm is a fascinating place to watch the animals sometimes.

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On this morning, it was interesting to observe how the Swan Geese interacted.
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After a morning of activity on the farm, these geese now "owned" the pond.
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Two heads came together in silent agreement.
.Even doing something as clumsy as mating, these birds somehow managed to look graceful.

A bit of splashing,
. But success for the male was easy.
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Spring is a time for love. (In this picture, notice that the knob on the male's bill is more pronounced than the female.)

At times, I was afraid she might drown. She was under the water for a long time, and at one point, was lying flat in the water, and it took her some time to lift her head again. She was okay though and the ritual was soon over.
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They bobbed their heads, and water splashed over their backs as they bathed.

Then they came to shore,

With a celebratory flapping of wings.

Showing off proudly.

I love watching birds when they show off their wings. They look so beautiful.

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But, now it was time for me to go home.

Goose Play 3 -More Animals

This page is part 3 of "Goose Play" on the farm

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Part One of the farm visit is here

Part Two is here

After the lovemaking geese left the pond and fighting geese had settled their differences, things on the farm got a little calmer. This sheep decided to take a nap, so after a few "baaa's" it went to sleep.

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Meanwhile, I was being checked out! "Got treats?"

The resident White-Tailed Deer sat comfortably, once the ruckus was over.

Some of the animals that live on this farm, do so voluntarily, and these two Canada Geese strolled past me
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Greylag Geese pecked at the mud puddles and dirt

A Peacock's tail feathers were intertwined with another one's feathers, and made a pretty display

This female Mallard took a deep drink. I caught her in mid-swallow.

A Highland Cow came to greet me. They love to have their heads scratched and are usually too close to me to take their picture.

This white duck raced along with feathers displayed

A Rhea came very close to me. They can be pretty fierce, so no head scritches from me.

There are several funny looking Muscovey Ducks that live on the farm

A young calf rested, well protected by its family
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Meanwhile, this swan goose dreamed of a family, too.

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Continues here

Goose Play 2

Continued from yesterday Part 1 is here

So, after their moment of passion, the curious geese went to see what the ruckus was all about.

On the other side of the farmyard, a battle was going on,

And it was getting meaner by the moment!

One goose had a tight grip on the other one's neck.

Zoomed in more - Ouch, Ouch, Ouch! He was not letting go. Click on the picture to see the larger size.

This battle went on for a long time. Some geese tried to break it up, while others looked on, honking loudly. Meanwhile the goose who was in this grip continued with its pitiful sounds
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The attack was relentless and the grip was like steel

Eventually, the fighting geese moved out of sight behind a little shed, so I couldn't see them anymore, but the onlookers remained excited

They stood around for awhile, flapping their wings excitedly

They gradually began to calm down some

But then again they began to get excited as they turned their attention toward something else

I thought another fight was going to break out

But, things finally calmed down and peace returned to the farmyard

Part 3 continues Here with more animals on the farm