Looking back at Mel and Rose

We have almost made it beyond winter. Our fingers are crossed that we will not have anymore cold, blustery days. Our fingers are also crossed that no snow will fall this year and we can soon, officially say, spring has arrived.

A few of our feathered friends are on many ponds, but especially a favorite location for me - EllPond appear to be having the same thoughts.

Although residents, "Mel" and "Rose"appear to take over the waters, many visitors stop by during winter- a few staying and braving the territorial spins around the pond, "Mel" and "Rose" take when chasing geese and ducks away from their nest each year.

Swan staking out its territory while protecting the nesting area for its young.

A few favorite photographs taken over the many years of watching their behavior are shown below. They were pieced together with a bit of writer's license to show how hard the parents work to teach their little ones step by step.

Preparing the nest

Swans soon to become cygnets.

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Incubating the eggs.

One portion of a new family as they await the arrival of other brothers and sister cygnets

Cygnets first swimming lesson.

Cygnets to parents : " You want us all on our first day of life to swim around Ell Pond? The whole pond? "

"No thank you. I will just stay on the nest, I promise!"

Cygnet: "OK,I'll go for a swim, but I'm not happy about it!"

..."and I'll take a ride back to the nest."

Growing up!

Having a talk about learning nest care and raising future cygnets.

Flight School

...and we have take off. Let's hope for a safe landing.

Now it's time for us to leave the safety of the nest with parents, "Mel" and "Rose" and raise our own families.