An Hour at the Park

I went to a local park near downtown Worcester yesterday on my lunch hour. I was expecting a lot of bird activity, but everything was strangely quiet. I scanned the pond for waterfowl and all I could see were two Mallards floating gently on the water.

As I ventured around the bend of the pond, I saw the two Mute Swans near some cattails in an area which would be difficult for a human or to access. One stood still in a pile of dead cattails and I knew she was on her nest.

I was very far away and zoomed to full capacity for a photo. As I did this the male swan started coming my way. He didn't look bothered by my presence, but was determined to let me know this is his domain.

I stepped back a little to give him his space and he proceeded to behave in a manner of a swan as my camera clicked away.

I started to walk away to see what else was out there and he gracefully followed. When I stopped to take a photo of something, he stopped to drink water or eat grass from the pond.

Finally he floated back to the nest to be with his mate.

She waited oh so patiently for his return.

On my way to the car I saw a Red Winged Blackbird perched on a cattail and figured one more picture wouldn't hurt. I drove away and the blackbird sang.