Given that I spent a reasonable amount of time in the UK by rivers and lakes, it's not surprise that I have some images of Mute Swans (Cygnus olor). This species is basically very obvious and easy to see in the UK all year round. In fact, it's population is growing thanks to better protection and the banning of the lead shot that was used in fishing that was poisoning the birds. (I am unsure if the lead pellets used in shotguns have been banned as well).
Mute Swans used to be known as the largest bird in the UK, but this claim to fame is now help by the White-Tailed Sea Eagle. Male Mute swans have a wing span of over 2 meters, and can weigh more than 10 kg. By all measures they are big!
Having said that this is a common bird, I only seemed to be able to photograph it in poor light, from rocking boats or with way too short a lens! These are not the best pictures I have taken by a country mile, but I have never posted Mute Swans on WBW - so, here they are.
The first two shots (which I think are the best) are from Esthwaite Water in the Lake District, the third shot is from Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire and the last two shots are from Ham Wall RSPB reserve in Somerset.
Mute Swans used to be known as the largest bird in the UK, but this claim to fame is now help by the White-Tailed Sea Eagle. Male Mute swans have a wing span of over 2 meters, and can weigh more than 10 kg. By all measures they are big!
Having said that this is a common bird, I only seemed to be able to photograph it in poor light, from rocking boats or with way too short a lens! These are not the best pictures I have taken by a country mile, but I have never posted Mute Swans on WBW - so, here they are.
The first two shots (which I think are the best) are from Esthwaite Water in the Lake District, the third shot is from Stourhead Gardens in Wiltshire and the last two shots are from Ham Wall RSPB reserve in Somerset.
As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking on the blue button below. Feel free to remind anybody you know in the land of bloggers that WBW is still running and we would love them to be involved! SM
Hi Stewart Got my laptop back but it still is not quite right yet but was able to link in. Love the Swan and her cygnet. Thanks for hosting and have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteOh, so lovely. And cygnets too!
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame I know, but the Mute Swan is one of the most ignored birds of the UK - by birders mainly. They are just so common all the year round as you say Stewart.
ReplyDeleteHello, now this is a swan I am familiar with. We have the Mute Swan here too. Great series of photos, I like the cute cygnets too. Thanks for hosting. Enjoy the rest of your week!
ReplyDeleteOh I do love Mute Swans and I know the feeling of being just short of what the lens can snag, however, you did a great job with your lighting and detail. Those little Signets are so adorable aren't they. Trying to finally catch up a bit.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! They aren't very common in the area I live, but they are plentiful in many parts of the country. A nuisance in some places. I only get to photograph them if I travel.
ReplyDeleteMute swans were very common in the past and the Whooper swans were rare. Today the situation is the opposite. Lots of Whoopers but less Mutes. :(
ReplyDeleteOh I do love the Mute Swans as handsome and ornery as they are. These are wonderful pictures and I see the male is eyeballing you and raising his wings to alarm status. Hope he can't reach you because they can do a huge amount of damage when they whack you with their wings. Love the cygnets as well. We used to care for a pair of Mute Swans at the Nature Center ... it took three of us ... two with push brooms to hold them back and one to run the food from the shed to their feeder ... it was a lot of laughs, but also sometimes scary :) Great post, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Beautiful Swan..I just love their grace...Not known for their friendliness..Cute Signets as well..Thanks for sharing Stewart..I have no birdies this week..Sorry
ReplyDeleteLove the mom and baby shot (cob and cygnet ?... I can never remember). So elegant looking, tho I have heard that looks can be deceiving in their case... that they don't act as elegantly as they look). Thank you for hosting.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are very graceful birds despite their bad reputation for displacing native waterfowl. Ironically, we must evacuate and are flying out to New Mexico to get away from the expected fury of Hurricane Irma with 185 mile and hour winds. At this point it is heading quite directly towards south Florida. The house is shuttered but we worry about the tile roof which was badly damaged by hurricane Wilma back in 2005.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see the feet of that swan! Great shots.
ReplyDeleteIt may be common but it is a magnificent species. It is quite common here in Ontario, especially along the shore of Lake Ontario.
ReplyDeleteYou have done the bird proud Stewart, its probably the most photographed birs in the UK if not in the world, apart from maybe the Mallard.
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Gordon.
Beautful images, Stewart. I love the swan with cygnet. Does the name signify that it doesn't make a sound? Thanks for hosting this image. Have a great day. Jo
ReplyDeleteJust love your photos! They have a soft quality, and the one of the mom and cygnet is so sweet! Hope you have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI love swans and am thrilled to see them here on WBW! Great captures, Stewart!
ReplyDeletethose first two shots are great...'poor light?' You should always have bad light.
ReplyDeletethose bootiful creatures have some feet! lordy
Hello Stewart!:) Good job with your shots of the beautiful Mute Swans and cygnets. I don't see nearly enough of these elegant birds here in Portugal. Thank you for hosting Stewart.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty, and I love the fuzzy babies!
ReplyDeleteStewart, they are such beautiful creatures, although I always keep my distance when kayaking...:)JP
ReplyDeleteThe swans are lovely! I love seeing the little signets as well. I apologize in advance for my paltry entry to WBW!
ReplyDeleteSwans and cygnets...ahhh!
ReplyDeleteSooooo beautiful!
ReplyDelete