The cygnets hatched! Four days after photographing the nesting swan, posted in Spring is in the air, Rachel and I revisited the site and the adults were flapping their wings, splashing and calling. It was a strange display and makes me wonder if it was the first time the cygnets had entered the water as I’ve not seen swans behave this way before.
Black Swan (Cygnus atratus)
Black Swan
After a few moments we had our first glimpse of the cygnets as three bundles of fluff slipped out from amongst the reeds to join the female; the third cygnet is hidden behind mum.
Black Swan
The female took her lovely brood along a shaded section of the reeds, the sun went behind a cloud and the lighting makes the scene look very murky but still cute.
Black Swan
Back in the light mum lifted her wings and the other cygnets hopped onto her back, two stayed hidden while the third peeked out to look at the world.
Black Swan
The family made their way across the lake with the larger male heading the procession and the three cygnets on mum’s back, partly hidden by her raised wings. When they arrived at the opposite bank they met up with a Cape Barren Goose family and I ended up with images of goslings which I’ll post another day.
Happy birding, Kim
OMG those are amazing!! We don’t have black swans and honestly cignets are still on my life list for birds. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing these!
I hope you see some soon Sherry, they are so adorable. I’m really pleased you liked them 🙂
Hi Kim, I love these intimate family portraits. I had no idea that Black Swan cygnets rode on the adult’s backs. Our grebes do that here. Looking forward to seeing the Cape Barren Goose family!
I didn’t either Mia! I was so rapt to see it. The goslings were gorgeous too but I’ve always had a soft spot for cygnets. I wonder if our grebes give their babies piggyback rides – I’ll try to find out…