Tuesday, March 31, 2009

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.


18 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Kim, Your pictures are great.. The Swan wants to be your friend. Aren't they gorgeous? I can't wait 'til they have their babies---and you can get photos of the little ones!!!! Won't that be cool??????

I only saw the Redwinged Blackbirds here one day.. Wonder if they were just passing through??? We have tons of those old crows.

Have a great day.
Hugs,
Betsy

Dawn Fine said...

What I noticed first is that you had a beautifully sunny day!
The Swan is glowing with light.
beautiful.

Anonymous said...

What beautiful, graceful pictures of the swan. You are so talented and it is such a joy to visit your blog.

ShySongbird said...

Lovely photos Kallen and your Red Winged Blackbird is a very striking bird.

Deborah Godin said...

Just stunning shots!! Isn't that basket-y thing they do with their wings just gorgeous?!

Warren and Lisa Strobel said...

Kallen! Love your pictures... we just can't stand Mute Swans for what they do to the Chesapeake Bay. The munch on vast amounts of important submerged vegetation which impacts native species.

That being said, it is still hard not to be awed by their beauty and grace. You captured it!

PS You are going to go crazy once you experience warblers in migration!
L&W

Kim said...

Lisa, I was reading all about that and how they have been trying to control the swams to help the native birds. Very sad. The birds sure do make great pictures though!

troutbirder said...

Wow Wonderful close up of a majestic bird. Swan Lake!

Steve said...

The Swan pictures are excellent, but the Blackbird is fantastic. We don't get that type over here, what a cracker!

FAB said...

You have created a beautiful effect in the 1st pic Kim. Well done. FAB

Shelley said...

I love the close ups you captured of the swan - you used very artistic angles!! I hope we get to see babies!!

Chris said...

Hi, This is a beautiful set of picture, with light and sunshine... Hum I would love that!!!!! I love the last pictures also as it is a bird that we do not see here!!

Kathie Brown said...

I actually love the photo of the swan with his face in the water. The arch of his neck is so graceful that it looks like scupture! What a great way to spend your lunch hour: food for your soul!

Heather said...

Wow, I really love that very first picture. They're all beautiful, but the first is a knock-out. Great job.

Kelly said...

...these are wonderful photos! Somehow I missed your blog yesterday, so I had a double-fun read today!

Leedra said...

The swan photos are awesome!

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A New England Life said...

Hi Kim,
You should know I love Swans and all the beauty that goes with them. These photo's are gorgeous and made me lean right in to look a little closer. I've never seen a Swan make that threatening puffed up pose before but you caught it. Good job!

Sharon

Redzlan said...

Fruitful one hour with those stunning pictures.

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