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Thursday 16 June 2011

Mr & Mrs Swan and family


Well, I won't be beaten!  Having complained the other day that swans won't 'pose' for me, I managed to catch quite an attractive grouping of Saltaire's adult pair with their two surviving cygnets.  To add to the fun, the adults had their wings up in that elusive posture they sometimes adopt, enjoying - I imagine - the warm sunshine on their backs.  I say 'elusive' because in my experience they immediately retract when they spot a camera (or maybe just MY camera!)  In this case they hadn't seen me because I was hiding on the bridge above - ha!  And although there is a bit of shadow on two of the birds' heads, I managed on the whole not to blow-out the highlights on their feathers.  I'll give this one 7 out of 10, which is a big advance on previous attempts!

I was interested in Dianne's comment on my previous swan post that she only sees Black swans in Adelaide.   Black swans are only seen here in collections or as escapes.  The swans above are our native Mute swans.  We also see Whooper swans and Bewick's swans but only overwintering in our estuaries and wetlands; they don't breed here.  I have loved these amazing birds ever since I saw the amazing spectacle of hundreds of Whooper swans flying in at dusk, at one of our bird reserves in Cambridgeshire - moving, beautiful and reminiscent of a ballet; one of those lifetime 'must-see' experiences, in my opinion.  So strong yet so graceful, swans often mate for life and are celebrated in folklore and myths.  But at one time they were bred here for food and were so valued that they were marked by their owners.  All unmarked birds were considered to be the property of the Crown.

19 comments:

  1. That is an absolutely beautiful photo, and I love the reflection in the water. So charming as they must have read your thoughts and decided to pose after all...very, very nice! thanks!

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  2. Such a beautiful successful chef-d'oeuvre photo, Jenny, BRAVO!!!!

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  3. A perfect picture! they're so cute, and the word "family" makes sense!

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  4. Utterly delightful- swans are such elegant creatures and you've captured them so.. beautifully.

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  5. Very nice shot. Congratulations on your success! Jim

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  6. Wow Wow and WOW! Such a striking image. You've really captured a perfect pose from your hiding spot on the bridge! ~Lili

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  7. This is an incredibly beautiful picture, Jenny! Well done! It truly is competition worthy!

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  8. Omigosh! The best swan photo ever!
    nellie

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  9. That is a beautiful grouping!

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  10. They must be the world's most beautiful birds. And to get a family. So cute! Makes me wish I was one of them.

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  11. Yes, Jenny, you nailed this swan family portrait!

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  12. Wonderful capture!!!! Really gorgeous!

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  13. This photo is amazing! So beautiful...
    As fate would have it, I posted a photo of a black swan last week.
    http://patricktillett.blogspot.com/2011/06/birds-we-met-in-kauai.html

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  14. Ten out of ten! What is all this nonsense about seven?
    I hope you will print this at 20 by 30 and frame it and hang it in your local Saltsmill gallery!!

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  15. WOW! What a gorgeous shot, Jenny!

    Thank you so much for your comment, I really don't think my photos are that good as I am just an empiric hobbyist using tiny Cybershot cameras. You are very kind.

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