Jan 04, 2021
8 swans a swimming
Once again I am going to skip some photos in order to bring you a more important recent event. Yesterday morning ( Sunday, January 3rd ) Colin actually woke me up to come and look out at the lake.
Hmmm
Looks like curling rocks.
The temperature had risen, the roads were wet and slushy, there no longer was any snow over the lake ice nor on our lawn and the trees had lost their mantle of snow. There had been rain and a good deal of rain overnight.
We had eight Trumpeter swans almost directly in front of us. They were all tucked in facing the wind.
…and then there were nine! This cygnet flew in on its own, at least two hours after we spotted the original bevy.
We kept watching them. However they simply slept for the most part. We had no idea how long they had been there. Perhaps they had flown all night. The can fly several hundred miles per day when migrating. Adult swans eat aquatic vegetation, including the leaves, seeds, and roots of many types of pond weeds. Tubers and rhizomes of various aquatic plants are staple foods so prefer to be somewhere with open water.
Our group were mostly sleeping but would wake up, stretch their wings, walk a few steps and settle down again.
At one point this eagle flew low over them. Colin barely had time grab a camera, never mind focus it. It made a few passes before flying away. I read that both eagles and coyotes are predators. Perhaps they felt safe resting in an open area. Most raised their heads when a squadron of geese flew over but tucked their heads back down right away.
We decided that they were very tired. They stayed in that one spot from 8AM ( when we first noticed them ) until between 2PM and 3PM. We delayed our walk so we could see them fly off, but we did need to get out. Of course they were gone when we got back.
Colin spent most of his day watching and waiting.
Once again we were so fortunate to be a part of this.
We know that they will be back again and with luck we will be here.
Shortly after the walk yesterday, we were treated to a sunset. Those are not window reflections you see. The sun filtered that way through the clouds. I kept trying to correct the reflection but that was actually how the sun was shining.
Yesterday was just another great day here on our lake.
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We always enjoyed the swans coming through at our last house. It looks like it is all froze up now. Do people ice fish on your lake?
In past years I have seen photos of cars racing on the lake as well as ice fishing. However this winter the lake is constantly changing, melting every other day, then freezing up. Despite the forecast for the this winter which was to be the worst in many many years we have been fortunate in that it has been milder than normal. We are happy with whichever way it goes.
That is awesome! I saw them once last year on Okanagan Lake but it was a quick sighting as they floated by. You guys live in the coolest place 🙂
Well you could have lived here this winter but I think you are better off where you are. We love it here the 7 months of the year that we are here but we are certainly enjoying the other five months this winter.
Nice having the Trumpeter Swans so close. I didn’t think Eagles would attack them.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It’s about time.
It was a real privilege. Sadly it was Google that told me about the predator eagles. I so hope to never see that.
OMG STUNNUNG swans!
They were. Hope that next time they are facing us.
So glad to learn you are still enjoying even in the almost depths of winter…a while to go yet, with no tropical balmy breezes. But you seem to be making the most of it and sharing, for which I thank you.
Especially the curling stones. My favorite sport to watch in the winter Olympics. Used to be, it was the downhill slalom. now, it’s curling. Could I be older and slower? Whatever, technique is still important.
I figure 6 weeks max before we get nice temps aka balmy weather:) We haven’t seen any more curling stones but you will be the first to know. Hey,I hear that you just might b getting another dusting of snow.
Wonderful storyline… Great photos!