"Master Class"

Last year, I followed the progress of two local Mute Swan families, one of the highlights being present when the cygnets in one family were being ringed.

Yesterday, I called in at a local pond, just in time to watch Dad give his new kids a lesson in culinary skills.

The students followed his demonstration with great interest, then eagerly began to try this out for themselves.

Aha! “Down it goes”. Success for this little fellow, but, like any typical baby, another preferred to “wear” its dinner………

Mum and Dad followed their progress with close interest.

Then, a short break for some playtime…………………………

“Ring a Ring of Roses, We all fall down” perhaps?

All too soon, their parents signalled with hisses that it was time to leave. “School’s out for the day”, they seemed to say.

19 May, 2011

Comments

19 May, 2011

aster said:

This is a wonderful blog and the photo's fantastic David :)
Such good parenting and well behaved 'children' lol :)

19 May, 2011

eje said:

Hi David,I have only just put our local new family on when I went to "Blogs" and there were yours.Fabulous set!

19 May, 2011

littlewren said:

stunning blog....fabulous photos....

19 May, 2011

jane said:

Aww David..I count 9 little beauties ! Wonderful photos..and well remember you observing the ringing of the cygnets !! Pic number 6 just has to be my favourite..well done little one !! Many thanks for sharing these lovely images...made my day..:o))

19 May, 2011

david said:

Glad you enjoyed this - it was fascinating to watch. Have just seen your locl family, Eric. Great news that swans are breeding again at Baffin's Pond after an absence of some years. :-)

Yes, 9, Jane, one more than last year. :-)

21 May, 2011

bonkersbon said:

Terrific series of photos David .. you must be delighted with these as all caught so clearly with lots of detail and expression showing parents tenderness and concern.Well done .Nominated for freshwater birds category .. wish more members would use this ( and the like button .. ) as really helps us editors to locate items that comments suggest , have been enjoyed and appreciated.

22 May, 2011

david said:

Thank You Very Much, Bb.

Am as thrilled with the pics as I was to have been able to sit and watch all this taking place, just 10ft or so away. Several people walking dogs passed me by, without even taking time to look at these lovely birds, and the swans were not in the least perturbed by the dogs' presence, let alone mine.

23 May, 2011