Swan Family-01

I hadn't returned to this spot for almost 7 weeks, when I came upon this wonderous sight. This was why the pen had dissappeared, to lay and hatch these 8 delightful little cygnets. Based on the 5 week hatching period for mute swans, I guesstimate they are less than 3 weeks old here. Two points of interest here: The pen has just uprooted a bottom plant, and raised it to the surface, draped across her head. She is about to drop it in the water for her babies to feed on. Also, notice the lump in the cob's neck, a morcel of bottom plant that slowly slid down his neck to gullet, as I watched.