HAPPY EASTER !

Easter is the traditional time for renewal, this could not have been more apt today at the Swans Island.

Penny and Duke were full of the joys, and had a beautiful mating session to continue the legacy and life of the Swans. 

                        I was privileged to be on hand to record the event as the sequence of shots show.

Penny was the prime mover and Duke was happy to oblige.

                         I was particularly taken when Penny put her neck right across Dukes neck and back indicating she was ready to mate, then putting her wings down into the water to allow him access onto her back.

Finishing with a Swan lake water ballet, all quite wonderful.... A nature lesson for everyone.... Enjoy !

Popeye Hinting

Spring is in the air, and Popeye has been dropping large hints that Mating season is due !

He has taken to sitting on top of the island, which is the biggest hint he can make to get Penny in the mood.
It seems to have paid off today !

This is a once in a year time for them, and no doubt very much looked forward to ! They have been attentive and exceptional parents since last May - time now for the joys of spring !

Irrepressible Popeye !

Seems like the Anti - inflammatory medication is helping, and you cant keep a good Cob down ! This is the optimum time for Swan mating - the Spring Equinox, right on cue and Popeye with a bad leg too ! The will to survive and procreate is powerful stuff, as I witnessed Popeye and Penny enter the harbour for the business of mating - regardless of the injured leg ! Incredibly he actually managed to mate without the help of his injured leg, I think there's joke there somewhere about not getting a leg over ! Pics tell the story.

( I have cut out the actual mating shots for those with a sensitive disposition )

Happy Days...Mating

With this Months high spring tides for the next few days, the river Waterbirds are spreading out and starting to nest. The Swans too were in a mating mood today, and duly obliged as I passed by. The sequence of mating shots is self explanatory, the closeness and devotion plain to see, nesting should commence soon.