While looking for a Saturday Sky photo, I discovered this shot taken earlier this spring of our new swans. We’ve always had swans (as well as ducks and Canada geese) on our ponds until 18 months ago when the original pair were accidentally killed. They insisted on sleeping in the street instead of staying in the pond and were run over by a landscaper who was horrified at what he’d done. He replaced the pair early this spring.
When this was taken, the couple were still getting acclimated to their new home. All had been going well until one of them got too curious about the spillway into the neighboring pond and took a trip over the falls.
There’s no way out of that pond for a bird with clipped wings. For a week the pair were separated by no more than a street width, but it might as well have been a mile. Finally, a rescue was accomplished with the assistance of two guys and a rowboat. All was well in swandom.
Not long after, one of the pair (the male we think) was discovered floating lifeless in the pond. No signs of misadventure or predators, just a mysterious death.
Which leaves us with one lonely swan. The association is deciding how to fund the cost of a new mate since they’re fairly expensive. And then there’s the whole will she or won’t she question about accepting a new mate.
In the meantime, our remaining swan has been adopted by one of the resident ducks who has been ostracized by his buddies this spring. He’s taken up residence on the swan pond and most days you can find them cruising the shallows together.
Just shows, friends come in all shapes and sizes.
How sad.
What a lucky duck (HA!) to find a new friend.
How sad and sweet at the same time.