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Well, I finally got my kayak into the water with much appreciated help from my awesome hubby who had to specially design and install my roof rack. Also, thanks much to Brian B., one of my PI, N co-bloggers, for the lessons and news on hot spots (including where to find this featured family of Mute Swans). One of the first spots I put in was at the foot of Sommerheim Drive. I met Brian and Don out on the water. They had already been out about 3 hours by the time I got there at 9:00 a.m. and had probably taken several hundred photos of the swan family.
Watching over the clutch. The cygnets were never from from their parents.
Even so, Brian helped me out by playing shepard to the swans as I drifted just close enough to get a few pics while not disturbing the family unit. Mute swans are known for their sometimes aggressive behavior as they defend their territory and young but this pair were very calm and approachable. Maybe if we had been Canada geese they’d have been less understanding. Although the light was harsh I was able to get a few half way decent pics. I had lots of duds too owing to my first time shooting from the kayak:)
They seem to be loving and attentive parents.
The family dines on aquatic plants, a staple in their diet, that are plentiful in this part of the bay.
Mute swans are not uncommon to Presque Isle, but because they are a non-native species (and can be aggressive as mentioned) having been introduced in the US from Europe, they are not always fondly embraced. I’m not certain when the last time a successful clutch of mute swans lived at Presque Isle but I’m glad they made it. I look forward to watching them grow and hopefully thrive along the beautiful shore of Presque Isle Bay.
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Weren’t these the same type of swan that the PA F&GC shot and killed several years ago, when there was just a pair of them?
Yes, they are. They nested again this year but I don’t think any of the cygnets made it.