And swans can be mean!!! The adage “The longer the neck, the meaner the bird” holds true. Think: ducks, geese, swans. The swans on Stratford-on-Avon will reach up and grab a paddle with their powerful beak. And you can’t hit them or injure them in any way trying to get your oar back because those swans are the property of the Queen. π¦’π£π»ββοΈπ
This is wonderful, Su! I notice in the first picture that the birds they have corralled with their skiffs are Canada Geese. We have LOTS of them every spring – fall to nest and lay their eggs.
Maybe we can moan together, you about the heat to come and I about the wet and winter to βlook forward toβ? π Self-therapy? (Just kidding, we donβt do moaning)
No telephoto β I always forget to take it with me π¬ The birds in that park are very used to humans and pretty much expect you to bring βfoodβ. The swans were more comfortable with us being near the chicks when they were in the water.
So so sweet. In May-June, when we were taking our long walks before it got too hot, we watched baby ducks and geese go from teeny fluff balls to smaller versions of their parents at a pond near us.
They are quite cute, aren’t they? I’m constantly amused that while many here are bemoaning that fall is coming, those of us in the Southwest are thinking how delightful it will be to have temperatures dropping below 100 during the day and even cooler at night. π I can imagine you’re looking forward to spring as well.
Low humidity is probably the only thing I knew about Arizona for a long time, and it’s because when I was growing up there was a TV commerical for sinus relief medication and the catch-line was “it’s like sending your sinuses to Arizona.”
a) I have no idea why I’ve just thought of that
b) it seems like a strange endorsement in 1970s New Zealand
NZ only had two tv channels when I was growing up, so there’s a good chance that Kiwis around my age can still sing just about every jingle or theme song from TV at that time.
A dubious achievement; but fun at parties.
π We didn’t get a TV until I was in high school but I still managed to pick up a lot of jingles and the theme songs from the shows we sometimes saw when visiting my grandparents or at friends’ homes.
Always a little jelly of you as my summer winds down and you head into spring . . . but you do such a nice job of celebrating/enjoying each season. Going to channel zimmerbitch this autumn!
Our winters are so mild, itβs hard to really appreciate three months of humidity and drought (yep, winning combination) and staying indoors so as not to bake π
As you know, Su, we have different weather woes and weals (is that a word?) in Wellington. Skinny wee islands with multiple pockets of microclimates… But yes, spring is coming. I know this because the tuis are revving their engines.
Didn’t the royal family used to eat swans? Like in Henry VIII. time? I’ve heard they taste quite fishy and oily though. π Anyway, lovely cignets and proud parent watching over them. π
I think it was fairly common at artistocratic tables once upon a time. Interestingly, apart from the Royal Family, the only people in Britain still allowed to eat swans are fellows of St John’s College, Cambridge.
How do I know this stuff!!
I have a friend who has similar stores of “useless” information and we are unbeatable in pub quizzes — mainly because our areas of trivia are different and complimentary.
If this isn’t the cutest and most hopeful image in a long time!!! I’d love to touch that softness. Thank you Su.
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Thank you Hannah. I confess I felt much the same. No touching though: mama and papa swan were VERY protective!
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And swans can be mean!!! The adage “The longer the neck, the meaner the bird” holds true. Think: ducks, geese, swans. The swans on Stratford-on-Avon will reach up and grab a paddle with their powerful beak. And you can’t hit them or injure them in any way trying to get your oar back because those swans are the property of the Queen. π¦’π£π»ββοΈπ
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Iβve always thought itβs hilarious that the Queen owns all the swans in England.
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OH! I didn’t remember that she owns ALL the swans! Good heavens. What would she DO with them? All of them at once, that is.
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Itβs so weird right? I found this article, which explains it https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/fascinating-history-british-thrones-swans-180964249/
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This is wonderful, Su! I notice in the first picture that the birds they have corralled with their skiffs are Canada Geese. We have LOTS of them every spring – fall to nest and lay their eggs.
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Hopeful indeed. Sadly, this spring, not a single duckling survived from several broods on our village pond. But local cygnets are doing just fine.
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βΉοΈ There was a pond at my in-laws old place, and I hated watching the dwindling numbers of ducklings. We were never sure what killed them.
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Here, it’s foxes, male mallards who are not their fathers, geese and traffic. Not much chance really π¦
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βΉοΈ
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So, so cute!
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Awww
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Indeed….. so, youβre approaching spring while we bake in the maybe last days of summer heat and sweat here…
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Yes, and it is already quite warm so I am dreading summer.
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Maybe we can moan together, you about the heat to come and I about the wet and winter to βlook forward toβ? π Self-therapy? (Just kidding, we donβt do moaning)
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π
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So sweet. I read your response to Hannah, though, so will refrain from trying to pet the little ones.
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So cute!
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Did it let you get near, or did you have the telephoto lens?
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No telephoto β I always forget to take it with me π¬ The birds in that park are very used to humans and pretty much expect you to bring βfoodβ. The swans were more comfortable with us being near the chicks when they were in the water.
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If they get that close, Su, you would miss the shot with a telephoto lens. π
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Good point
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So so sweet. In May-June, when we were taking our long walks before it got too hot, we watched baby ducks and geese go from teeny fluff balls to smaller versions of their parents at a pond near us.
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It is a lovely thing to watch, though I do get upset when some of the chicks donβt survive.
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π¦
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What a wonderful sight! These fascinating images are a sure sign of spring. Very cute indeed!
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Thank you Peter
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They are sweet Su and lovely photos too.
Leslie xoxo
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Thanks Leslie. I was a bit surprised to see them now as itβs supposed to still be winter, but it is quite mild.
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Those birds seem to know….
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They are quite cute, aren’t they? I’m constantly amused that while many here are bemoaning that fall is coming, those of us in the Southwest are thinking how delightful it will be to have temperatures dropping below 100 during the day and even cooler at night. π I can imagine you’re looking forward to spring as well.
janet
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Weβve had such a mild winter that the rhythm of life hasnβt changed that much. Iβm dreading summerβs humidity.
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Yes, humidity makes a huge difference, one we don’t have to worry about here. π
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Low humidity is probably the only thing I knew about Arizona for a long time, and it’s because when I was growing up there was a TV commerical for sinus relief medication and the catch-line was “it’s like sending your sinuses to Arizona.”
a) I have no idea why I’ve just thought of that
b) it seems like a strange endorsement in 1970s New Zealand
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It’s supposed to be a good place for people with allergies. Isn’t it funny, the things we remember for so many years? π
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NZ only had two tv channels when I was growing up, so there’s a good chance that Kiwis around my age can still sing just about every jingle or theme song from TV at that time.
A dubious achievement; but fun at parties.
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π We didn’t get a TV until I was in high school but I still managed to pick up a lot of jingles and the theme songs from the shows we sometimes saw when visiting my grandparents or at friends’ homes.
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Always a little jelly of you as my summer winds down and you head into spring . . . but you do such a nice job of celebrating/enjoying each season. Going to channel zimmerbitch this autumn!
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Thank you. I approach Spring with some trepidation, as it means the humidity of summer is just around the corner.
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But oh, the glorious sun βοΈ
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Our winters are so mild, itβs hard to really appreciate three months of humidity and drought (yep, winning combination) and staying indoors so as not to bake π
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Oh boy. No, that does not sound like fun. You are probably dreading leaving Winter then.
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As you know, Su, we have different weather woes and weals (is that a word?) in Wellington. Skinny wee islands with multiple pockets of microclimates… But yes, spring is coming. I know this because the tuis are revving their engines.
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Yay for the tui.
Our neighbourhood seems to have more and more tui and kereru each year. Such a joy to watch and listen to.
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Cute indeed π
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Truly they are cute!
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Didn’t the royal family used to eat swans? Like in Henry VIII. time? I’ve heard they taste quite fishy and oily though. π Anyway, lovely cignets and proud parent watching over them. π
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I think it was fairly common at artistocratic tables once upon a time. Interestingly, apart from the Royal Family, the only people in Britain still allowed to eat swans are fellows of St John’s College, Cambridge.
How do I know this stuff!!
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I don’t know but I suspect books. π And I think it’s awesome that you know these kind of facts. π
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I have a friend who has similar stores of “useless” information and we are unbeatable in pub quizzes — mainly because our areas of trivia are different and complimentary.
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Okay, just read the article you’ve linked here! Very interesting about the swan ownership being the important thing instead of the swans themselves!
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