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. 🦢🚣🏻♀️🙄
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 ‘look forward to’? 😉 Self-therapy? (Just kidding, we don’t do moaning)
No telephoto — I always forget to take it with me 😬 The birds in that park are very used to humans and pretty much expect you to bring “food”. 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. 🙂 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.
🙂 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, it’s hard to really appreciate three months of humidity and drought (yep, winning combination) and staying indoors so as not to bake 🙁
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. 😁 Anyway, lovely cignets and proud parent watching over them. 😍
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.
Zimmerbitch 
If this isn’t the cutest and most hopeful image in a long time!!! I’d love to touch that softness. Thank you Su.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Hannah. I confess I felt much the same. No touching though: mama and papa swan were VERY protective!
LikeLiked by 3 people
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. 🦢🚣🏻♀️🙄
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’ve always thought it’s hilarious that the Queen owns all the swans in England.
LikeLiked by 4 people
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s so weird right? I found this article, which explains it https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/fascinating-history-british-thrones-swans-180964249/
LikeLiked by 2 people
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.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hopeful indeed. Sadly, this spring, not a single duckling survived from several broods on our village pond. But local cygnets are doing just fine.
LikeLiked by 1 person
☹️ 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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here, it’s foxes, male mallards who are not their fathers, geese and traffic. Not much chance really 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
☹️
LikeLiked by 1 person
So, so cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awww
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed….. so, you’re approaching spring while we bake in the maybe last days of summer heat and sweat here…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, and it is already quite warm so I am dreading summer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe we can moan together, you about the heat to come and I about the wet and winter to ‘look forward to’? 😉 Self-therapy? (Just kidding, we don’t do moaning)
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sweet. I read your response to Hannah, though, so will refrain from trying to pet the little ones.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Did it let you get near, or did you have the telephoto lens?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No telephoto — I always forget to take it with me 😬 The birds in that park are very used to humans and pretty much expect you to bring “food”. The swans were more comfortable with us being near the chicks when they were in the water.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If they get that close, Su, you would miss the shot with a telephoto lens. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a lovely thing to watch, though I do get upset when some of the chicks don’t survive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful sight! These fascinating images are a sure sign of spring. Very cute indeed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Peter
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are sweet Su and lovely photos too.
Leslie xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Leslie. I was a bit surprised to see them now as it’s supposed to still be winter, but it is quite mild.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those birds seem to know….
LikeLiked by 1 person
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. 🙂 I can imagine you’re looking forward to spring as well.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve had such a mild winter that the rhythm of life hasn’t changed that much. I’m dreading summer’s humidity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, humidity makes a huge difference, one we don’t have to worry about here. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s supposed to be a good place for people with allergies. Isn’t it funny, the things we remember for so many years? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I approach Spring with some trepidation, as it means the humidity of summer is just around the corner.
LikeLiked by 1 person
But oh, the glorious sun ☀️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our winters are so mild, it’s hard to really appreciate three months of humidity and drought (yep, winning combination) and staying indoors so as not to bake 🙁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh boy. No, that does not sound like fun. You are probably dreading leaving Winter then.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cute indeed 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Truly they are cute!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didn’t the royal family used to eat swans? Like in Henry VIII. time? I’ve heard they taste quite fishy and oily though. 😁 Anyway, lovely cignets and proud parent watching over them. 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
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!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know but I suspect books. 😉 And I think it’s awesome that you know these kind of facts. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
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.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay, just read the article you’ve linked here! Very interesting about the swan ownership being the important thing instead of the swans themselves!
LikeLiked by 1 person