The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is widespread in Australia. I often wonder what the first Europeans who came to Australia thought about this bird. White swans, of what ever species, were signs of purity, and have been associated with 'angels' in many mythologies, so encountering black swans must have been a bit of a shock.
Anyway, I liked the way these birds were interacting with each other.
Anyway, I liked the way these birds were interacting with each other.
You can join in with WBW by clicking on the blue button below the thumbnails. (I am finding it very hard to find the time to visit people's blogs - but please keep commenting as I am sure I will emerge from under this large pile of work soon!) SM
Beautiful swans!
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart. We have the occasional one over here but sometimes they herd up with Whoopers rather than Mutes but never remain solitary.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are graceful. I have never seen them swimming free in the wild, away from a zoo or aviary as do our introduced Mute Swans.
ReplyDeleteLove the black ones.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was young they had a white and black swan in a pond. Loved to go there to watch them. One day the swans formed a black and white heart with their necks. That was amazing. I tried to capture it but failed. I only saw it once.
They preen almost as much as white swans. Gorgeous
ReplyDeleteI do love the black swans, they are very beautiful. We only see imported ones here. Cheers Diane
ReplyDeleteThe black swan is a pretty creature!
ReplyDeleteVery graceful birds Stewart. Thanks for hosting and have a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that as you say Black Swans were a bit of a surprise for early settlers, but I guess those fellows who arrived at Botany Bay in chains and shackles didn’t have a whole lot of time to muse about the avifauna!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing my first black swan...so different! Very dramatic...I wouldn't say sinister, but more on the mysterious side! Basically because I was mystified! I didn't really know there were black swans too!
ReplyDeleteThere is a man-made lake not far from here that imports Swans for the warmer seasons. We presently have four black swans and three white swans.. The black ones are unusual indeed but beautiful in their own right. I noticed in your picture that there is some white in your swans.. ours, if I remember correctly, are pure black. Beautiful birds..more dramatic than the whites...mysterious
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen black swans around here. Nice to see your photos of them.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME! I have NEVER seen one, Stewart...:)JP
ReplyDeleteI look forward to meeting these swans, I find them very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThere are private collections in France and some black swans have escaped.
See you soon
SO elegant. There is a town near us in Florida that has some of them on a central Lake...(the town is called Lakeland). someone from Australia moved there and imported some of them ... at least that is the story I heard. I took a million pictures; they were lovely to see. It it would be more fun to see them in their real home, but we take what we can get!)
ReplyDeleteStewart, good capture of these gorgeous swans. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete