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Project Noah Nature School
Cygnus olor
Large, elegant bird with white plumage and an orange beak. Although called mute, it does make some harsh sounds. Territorial or maybe, good parents chasing off intruders. First it followed a Mallard across an expanse of water and when close, carried out an impressive threat display by flapping open wings and beating it to create quite a splash! One of the heaviest swimming birds, it sometimes swims with one foot twisted up and resting on the body...even cygnets do it.
Large lake attached to a property that serves as a Hotel. The area is huge and supports small animals such as hares. There are many other birds on the lake and surrounding semi-aquatic vegetation.
Spotted on Jun 3, 2023
Submitted on Jun 5, 2023
2 Comments
Wow , John. I had not read this beautiful poem. Loved it. Thank you.
Every time I see a Mute Swan, the words of the great Orlando Gibbons (1583 to 1625) come to mind:
The silver swan, who living had no note,
When death approached, unlocked her silent throat;
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more:
“Farewell, all joys; Oh death, come close mine eyes;
More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.”
Beautiful words to match your beautiful spotting.