This Mute Swan appeared to be asleep, soaking up some sun.
At some point while I was watching the Young Great Blue Heron Practice Stalking the swan’s head popped up.
And stayed up until the heron had passed on by.
Mute Swan
Tag Archives: Mute Swan
Young Great Blue Heron Stalking Lunch
A juvenile Great Blue Heron was stalking the edge of the pond where he has spent his life so far at Swan Lake and Iris Gardens.
At Swan Lake there are many swans that a young heron should be attentive to.
Perhaps this Mute Swan realized the heron was no threat as he didn’t get up as the stalking went on behind him.
The heron wasn’t much of a threat to any fish, either.
Ptooey!
Later in the morning I saw a parent bring him some food as he’s still learning how to catch his own.
Mute Swan with Cygnets
Hello world!
A Mute Swan cygnet poked his head out just as I was passing this nest, and was soon followed by a sibling.
They didn’t go very far.
The adult, presumably mother, based on swan behavior, was alert to the squirming around but never shifted her position.
She seemed to be prompting the pair to settle down; I don’t know if there were more young underneath or not.
Excursion over, time to tuck back in.
A staff person told me he thought this pair was about two weeks old.
May 20, 2021
Mute Swan S-t-r-e-t-c-h
The pair of swans at Middleton Place do not fly and can easily get out of the pond on the other side, but why bother when you have a long neck?
The best grass is w-a-y up the bank.
The sun was warm on a cooler day this spring and he seemed to enjoy just laying his head on the grass.
Mute Swan Fun-house Reflections
I like to photograph wildlife with water reflections and even when they aren’t a mirror image they can be interesting. The ripple in this water gave the reflection of the Mute Swan a groovy beak and two eyes.
Less than a second later the reflection had a new shape with two distinct heads.
Mute Swan Busking, 2
A few more images of the Mute Swan Busking , after he had moved further into the pond, but still displaying with his wings raised.
As the Mute Swan got further from me the reflection of the sky in the water was quite different and the sun created a nice rainbow in the fountain.
Lastly, a nice front view with a few drops of water from his beak.
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
January 29, 2021
Mute Swan Pair On A Mission
Before I knew about swans using an elevated wing display for “wind assisted transportation” I thought these two Mute Swans might be getting ready to tussle.
They were moving pretty fast up the far side of the reflecting pond from where I stood.
Ah, then it became clear: a passerby was handing out snacks. And the two swans shared without any squabbling.
From the man’s behavior I suspect this is a regular routine. He threw a few tidbits to the waiting birds then went on his way.
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
January 29, 2021
Mute Swan Busking
Busking not as in a street performance, but a threat display or the same posture used for “wind-assisted transportation” per Wikipedia.
The wind assist was not something I’ve seen described elsewhere, but there was a stiff breeze this day. Two Mute Swans were traveling the length of this 600 foot (185M) long pond in no time, so it would not surprise me.
A water performance and no tips expected, the Mute Swans at Middleton Place were very entertaining.