A recent visit to the swan family revealed that one of the four cygnets was missing. I knew in my heart that the rest of the family would not have just left it but still lived in hope that maybe a miracle might happen. Alas, no, and the family is now reduced to three cygnets being very closely guarded by their ever devoted and vigilant parents:
Yesterday, it seemed like the parents were having a tete-a-tete as their babies waited patiently.
The scene had me thinking about the laws of the jungle and about the otters I have been seeing in the general vicinity of the swans. Maybe I am being harsh on the otters but I couldn’t but wonder at their size, power and speed.
The swan family with the three youngsters reminds me of our family all those years ago.
I am an absolute expert at dividing by 5 and by 3, as I have two sibs. Mother used to let us divide goodies from a very young age and then say: Which piece would you like? I fell for her question for years, always pointing to the biggest piece or the one with the extra strawberry on top. She would insist that I give that to one of the others.
Strange how the mind wanders off and finds its way to places that haven’t surfaced either ever before or for ages.
May the swan family stay safe and well and as beautiful as ever. I wonder how they are coping with their loss.
SOCIAL BRIDGE ~ Jean Tubridy connecting with you from Ireland 
So sad missing 1small one 😢🌷so cute Swan family 👌🌷🙏
Thanks for writing. Yes, sad and cute.
You are most welcome 🌹🙏
I’m sorry to hear about a cygnet being missing. Sometimes the laws of nature can be cruel. Your Mother sounds like she was a very wise woman who taught valuable lessons in discreet ways.
Oh she was wise in her own subtle way!
Hopefully they just accept it as life 💜
Hopefully.
Gone but not forgotten…Sometimes life can be a bitter pill to swallow…A beautiful family moves on …
Never forgotten, that’s for sure.
I don’t know if you will be able to access this link, its a story about the swan family on the Boston Public Gardens this past week, showing how Dad took over after the Mom’s death. https://www.thedodo.com/daily-dodo/hero-swan-dad-carries-his-babies-on-his-back
Thanks so much for the link. It is stunning.
Awwww. Such a beautiful family!
Couldn’t agree more!
It’s funny… On Friday I walked around the lake across from my work. There are two geese families, one with six goslings and one with five… only there are only four now 😦 Can’t help but wonder what happened
That’s a coincidence alright, Dale. I guess there are hundreds of dangers kicking around.
I hope the others stay safe. Your mother had a good way of teaching you about sharing 🙂
They are doing fine so far, Andrea.
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Thank you, Chris
Thanks very much, Chris
I couldn’t help but wonder about the lost little one also…
A local man told me it was more than likely a fox.
Hi Jean,
Thanks for your post. The swan story reminded me of our “local” swans at the Boston Public Gardens. The Mother swan had her babies, but then sadly she died. The Father swan is taking over the upbringing and seems to be doing a good job.
I hope you and your family are well.
Nancy
Swans seem to be great at parenting and at sharing it.
Hope you and Mr K are keeping well.
Extra sad when you have grown so attached to them. Here at Hamptonne Country Life Museum the children love the baby chicks but sadly not many survive the night predators.
You can say that again, Roy. They are like extended family at this point.
Have been thinking a lot about Jersey of late. Must be the blooming lavender.