They were left, undoubtedly, by the kind lady who we think lives across the road from Mumma Swan's nest.
We stayed and I took photos for just a couple of minutes. Mumma Swan seemed extra alert and a bit on edge, even flipping her beak at a passing bird.
I slowly circled, didn't get as close as I usually do. Then, just as I walked off, I turned back for one last look.... oh boy, am I glad I did. Mumma Swan slowly rose up and proudly showed off her baby to us ....
Two pictures was all she allowed! First a bundle of fluff, then....
.... a wobbly, bobbly little head poked up.
We were thrilled to bits!!!
Faithful Duck was still by her side.....
with a very happy gleam in the eye!
We left this lovely little family, with a happy gleam in OUR eyes.
Mumma Swan, her sweet little Fluffy Cygnet and Faithful Duck.
Congratulations to Mr and Mrs Swan on the new arrival. And Faithful Duck really does look as if he/she is smiling!
ReplyDeleteThis is the very best post on blogger today :) What a thrilling encounter. Your pictures are wonderful and I loved the way in which you shared this exciting news with us! You should write children's books, Susan!!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing photos Susan; thank you for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! Wonderful post and super pictures.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! Your photos are wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhoopi! Does that mean we're all nannas and pops now?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the exciting update, Susan. So thrilled you were there to see the new arrival. Congratulations to the new mumma. Maa
Oh Susan finally I am so thrilled you shared this adventure with us.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the duck was the body guard. Stunning photos. B
Hazel hi there.. yes, Faithful Duck looked really happy and content. He (or she) has been intriguing us as much as Mumma Swan actually. Has kept up a constant vigil :D)
ReplyDeleteDesiree wow... thank you :D) You're so right, this encounter was absolutely thrilling, and very special. We were both so happy to see her with her chick. It was like she wanted to show it to us too!
Maria hi and a warm welcome to our blog - it's great you're joining in with all of us :D) Thank you for your kind words.
Denise thank you, as always :D) It's been great getting these photos.
Jill you're welcome, and thank you. It's a very special post this one :D)
Maa Yep... definitely. Mumma Swan has so many new rellies :D) lol! Oh gosh, it just made our day today. Of course, we celebrated with another coffee eclair. No slurping the plate this time though - just in case a certain someone was watching ;D)
Buttons, thank you. We're really happy too that all is well with Mumma Swan and that finally she has her chick safe and sound. She has lots of people looking out for her in the area! Yes, including Faithful Duck :D)
Thanks for taking me on this journey with you. I have enjoyed the visits with Mumma swan but the devotion of her friend, the duck is really touching. It has the making of a children's story.
ReplyDeleteDeb
WONDERFUL!!! and i love that the lady tended to her and her little charge! :)
ReplyDeleteooooohhhhh i am ready to jump in my car and come see. then i thought, susan lives in australia. that might be a bit much!!
ReplyDeleteso i celebrate the birth here, by making the earth shake (haha). this has been so incredibly wonderful for me. thank you sooo much for sharing every single detail with us.
i really think mumma wanted you to see her little one. she is one proud mumma.
and that duck, what a connection she has with mumma swan. it's wonderful how these wild ones look out for each other!!!
Ahhh Susan, Amazing, just amazing! Proud Mumma, Faithful Duck, and YOU--have much to celebrate. What are you going to name your latest "wild" child?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this phenomenal experience with all of us. You're the best, sweet Susan!
Oh MY GOODNESS!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to mother swan! And to you for getting those shots of the little one. You've been busy since my last visit.
ReplyDeleteThat is just the best news! Happy, happy dance. Thank you so much for sharing the experience via your blog, Susan. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteDeb, you're welcome - we've gained so much pleasure from this wonderful encounter. The constancy of Faithful Duck really got to us as well. Definitely, as Desiree also said, a lovely story could be woven from this :D)
ReplyDeleteTexwisGirl, absolutely! We did too. We'd been told previously that someone left bread for her; it's great to know she's so well cared for.
Debbie, lol !! So it was YOU who was responsible for the earthquake ;D) (Glad that all is well in that regard for everyone, actually).
We definitely got the impression she wanted to show us. It was the same scenario as when she revealed the egg. Just as I start to walk away, I always turn back for a last look. That's when she makes her move and stands up. All over in the wink of an eye. Unreal!!
Cherri, indeed we do!! Can't think of a name at the moment... any suggestions?
Mary, exactly!! [[big grin]];D)
Lavi, thank you - retirement is fun!! Was beaut to see you've done another chapter of your story too. Keep going :D)
Vicki, yay... thank you! It's been such a thrill, and a relief to see that all is well with the little family. Weren't we so lucky to get those quick couple of photos too.
~ It's been beaut to see how much everyone has loved seeing Mumma Swan's hatching :D)
What a delightful adventure! I am so very happy you have taken us on your trip to the Momma Swann and she SHOWED you her little one! The duck has a sweet look on his/her face...this whole thing is just a wonder...THANK you so very much!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
OOOHH! Congratulations Susan! I took a sneak peak at work today, but couldn't leave message-we're not allowed to 'blog'! My co-worker Cindy and I marveled at your beautiful photos of Mumma Swan and her lovely little baby. It is so exciting! And you have caught the most beautiful part of it! Thank you for your care of the little family. She looks so proud, as does her loyal duck friend!
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed your 'swan series' and so glad to see Mama Swan has a wee one to show for all her hard work. At last!
ReplyDeleteYay!!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, so glad you enjoyed it all too... yes, a lovely adventure!
ReplyDeleteSusan, that's really great - am glad you and Cindy had a look :D) She's a proud Mumma Swan - for sure. She really wanted to let us see her baby. It was just beaut!
Ms Lottie, thank you :D) She sat through rain, floods and sunshine... and goodness knows what else!
Joan Elizabeth absolutely :D)
So cute! Your perseverance has paid!
ReplyDeleteThanks for these happy images Susan! :)
yea, gotta love a little ball of fluff!!
ReplyDeleteWOW these are great. I love black swans.....and of course faithful duck.
ReplyDelete\What a lovely sequence of pictures - thanks! That faithful duck cracks me up !! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome DeeBee, it was worth waiting for ;D)
ReplyDeleteDmarie, it will be interesting to see how quickly the little ball of fluff grows.
Hi Sandy, guess you could say I've become slightly obsessed with swans now!! Oh yes, faithful duck is just lovely... didn't turn a feather when I photographed up real close.
Jenny, it's been just the best encounter with wildlife :D)
Congratulations Mamma Swan and Grandmamma Susan. Lucky she stood up for you, great captures. I love faithful duck (maybe he's the dad)
ReplyDeleteso happy to hear that the little one has hatched safely. Good ol duck, what a faithful friend. Spring is def on the way!
ReplyDeleteOh Susan, your header of Mama Swan is utterly gorgeously magnificent.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful Journey this has been... oh and Carer Duck definitely has a gleam and a smile.
When you mention Mama Swan seemed a little edgy... well the eye, one can see... so fierce... but then, how special for us, for you, and all who have kept vigil with her... Mama Swan made up her mind... you are worth it...
What a gift to you Susan... and thank you so much.
Will thoroughly keep a check to see the next stage of progress.
Heaps of good wishes to you from Magda in Australia
Diane, thank you!! You know, that gleam in Faithful Duck's eye, just may be paternal ;D) LOL!
ReplyDeleteAngela, hi there ... all the way from Greece! Glad you enjoyed seeing the hatching :D)
Magda, hello and a big welcome to the blog! It's been a lovely time following Mumma Swan, so glad you've had fun looking at it too. Am quite keen to see how the little one is growing now :D) Thank you also for your personal note, I've sent you an email in reply ... hope I used the right address. Cheerio!
I was busy making a nice long comment...and then... lost it! arrgghhh!!
ReplyDeleteI did mention that Faithful Duck looks like a female Mallard Duck to me....and that she could have "imprinted" on Momma Swan a long time ago mistaking her for her own Mom...or could have lost her own brood and taken up with a young swan mother-to-be.... difficult to know what happened...but, something sure did. What a wonderful loyal friend.....
I dont know much about swans...do they usually only have one baby? ...