“But now they drift on the still water,
Mysterious, beautiful,” WB Yeats
Swans swim,
in synchronized,
silhouettes.
Mama delicately rolls her precious eggs,
to keep them evenly warm,
and plucks her feathers to tuck them in.
Black swan,
slides in singular grace,
while Narcissus is bewitched by his own reflection.
Cheers to you from European swans in springtime~
Share this:
Discover more from Cindy Knoke
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
So beautiful! Thank you!
Thank you more for appreciating them!
The way their necks curve around they seem to be making the shape of a heart. So beautiful Cindy.
Leslie
Yes! They are always making valentines!
So gracefully too.
<3
Wonderful! xo
Thank you Bette! <3
Incredibly beautiful!
What is the magic of swans? I don’t know, but I feel it!
I liked all the pictures, especially the way the swans were connected by reflection in photograph four. Then, there is the reverse “albino” swan. I may be wrong about this, but I don’t think you took these pictures at the “holler.” When these birds fly by, you can hear their power earful wings beat the air as they move their large bodies through the air.
I have only rarely heard that because as you note, swans are not native at The Holler. I only get to see them when I travel. I will love to have them flying overhead!
Beautiful photos :-). I found the black swan particularly interesting, since I’ve never seen one. And I’m very impressed by the great view you got of the swan eggs. I didn’t think swans laid that many.
She was so proud of her eggs. I visited her on three separate days and each time she stood up and showed me her eggs. It was like she knew I came to call to meet them! I was so proud of her because she was such a good mother. She repeatedly plucked her feathers to wrap around her eggs, and rolled them diligently.
That is such a sweet story 🙂
The red, white and blue is great! The swans in the pond nearby my house have chicks now. Little grey-isch animals floating behind their parents. It will take some time for them to be a graceful as the elder. I think birds are about the only creatures to actually improve when they get older. Oh wait – we should not forget the butterfly! 🙂
Laughing, and think of ducklings and goslings. I have some photos of Egyptian Geese and goslings, oh my God they are adorable. I envy you having cygnets nearby. I would be there everyday, making an uninvited guest of myself! 😉
These are are gorgeous shots, Cindy. 🙂
Thank you my friend~ <3
Magnificent!! Such grace & beauty ❤
They personify those traits don’t they! Cheers to you Dorinda~ <3
Those are such incredible photos. I’m going to have to find new words to describe the wonder of your photos. Those of the swan and her eggs is just amazing!! I love them all.
I was really taken by the mama with her eggs. I showed up three days in a row (the entire time I was in Heidelberg) and every time I visited she stood up to show me her eggs and took such diligent care of them I was very moved by her.
You are an animal whisperer! I knew it! You capture shots that only the very best of the professionals like Art Wolfe get. I love his work too.
the dark swan, stands out… I liked the shades on him/her
Stunning creature isn’t it! <3
Such stunning images, Cindy. Loved the capture of the water droplets coming from the swans’ beaks in the first photo. Excellent timing! Mama and eggs were so beautiful to see. <3
Thank you for noticing the water drops. I liked them in unison along with the swans. The mama swan moved me immensely. It was quite cold. Snowed the first day and she was diligent in the care of her eggs, keeping them warm, and showing them to me. I loved her. <3
Incredible. Turning her eggs…so beautiful. Thank you.
She was such a beautiful personification of diligent motherhood! <3
Pingback: From blogger: Cindy Knoke…every one of her posts is amazing | Rethinking Life
Beautiful. Simply beautiful.
Awww, honored. Thank you.
Lovely photographs ☺️👍
Thank you very much~
Lovely images. Lucky you to capture a swan and her eggs.
I don’t remember ever seeing birds eggs at all, although I have seen chicks or cygnets newly hatched.
It was quite special and she was so proud of her eggs. It was truly lovely to see!
You should get an award for the pictures of the swan nest.
Awww, you are such a good friend! Hugs to you~ <3
Awesome shots, Cindy. You’ve captured their beauty and grace so well!
Thank you Eliza, they are the epitome of beauty and grace aren’t they~
Stunning captures Cindy! What a great 💛
Thank you Val~ <3 <3
Elegance, Cuz, simple, beautiful elegance. …and you captured it so very well ! 🙂
Not much better than simple beauty like these creatures. Thank you for seeing it cuz~ <3
I read a poem yesterday about swans, gliding serenely, but underwater paddling madly with ugly feet. I think it was by Jane Yolen. 🙂
Laughing! They do so if they have to, but their feet are giant paddles compared to their body, so they are like kayaks on a gentle lake, one paddle sends them gliding!
Have you seen them beat their wings on the water? Terrifying! 🙂
It’s beautiful! They can get tetchy mostly with dogs that go after them or people who approach them too abruptly or not carefully or other swans during disputes that most birds have. I have seen them chase people which could have been avoided. I get close to them, but I wait for an invitation first and don’t invade space. Check this out:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/11033858/Should-you-be-intimidated-by-a-swan.html
They can be ruthless with other birds. They look so gorgeous, but… 🙂
The first one with the drip from their beak is incredible!! Wow!! Love!!
I am so happy you do and thank for taking the time to tell me! <3
Beautiful!!!
Thank you!
Beautiful pictures of beautiful creatures Cindy.
xxx Hugs Galore xxx
Thanks so much David & cheers to you!
Beautiful pictures. 🙂 We had two black swans here in Kristianstad, Sweden in the 80´s. and i have read that there is some wild population in south of Europe who have escaped from zoos and amusement parks.
They are amazing creatures aren’t they! How thrilling to have them close to you. I wish we had swans nearby, I would love to photograph the hatching and the cygnets.
Thank you for sharing such amazing pictures, swans are such beautiful beings.
They are, and they are misunderstood, when approached correctly they are peaceable creatures.
The mama stole my heart. I wish you had stayed back to see the cygnets. Great shots!
I so wished that too. I would be there everyday, and Mama would be showing them off. She was awesome! I have a lot more photos of her rolling her eggs. She was so devoted and gentle. It was very impressive.
Amore!
Yes indeed! <3
Wonderful!
Thank you!
Fantastic!
Merci beaucoup mon ami!
De Nada!
Beautiful. Love the black Swan. “Ms. Portman! We’re ready for your closeup!!”
Laughing, the real deal is the true oscar winner for me!
Elegant, my friend! ☆+.ﾟ☆+ლ(´ ❥ `ლ)+.☆ﾟ+.☆
🕊️🕊️☆+.ﾟ☆+ლ(´ ❥ `ლ)+.☆ﾟ+.☆🕊️🕊️
Reblogged this on Musings on Life & Experience and commented:
Stunning photos of swans by Cindy Knoke.
I am so grateful for your thoughtful friendship Patricia! Cheers to you and thank you~ <3
Wow gorgeous swans! I didn’t know there were black swans. So very cool, Hugz Lisa and Bear
They originate in Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. They are gorgeous aren’t they!
Absolutely beautiful
<3
Fanwondrous efforts, I fank you. X
Awww, you are very welcome and I am happy you enjoyed!
What a treat to spend time with these lovely swans! Gorgeous mother swan. The second to the last image (from the bottom) I can visualize as a great impressionistic Monet-like painting. My father has painted with palette knives and his water scenes would come out looking like that.
Yes the peaceful Monet water. I love it so and am honored you connected the two. I would love to see your father’s paintings.
Oh that I can do! I realized recently that records of my own paintings are on those 6″ hard discs and I don’t know how transfer them onto today’s technology myself. However, my dad’s paintings are everywhere in the house, so I’ll take pictures and upload them for you to see!
Stunning photographs, Cindy.
Very happy you enjoyed them & cheers to you~
Swans look so elegant. They have always fascinated me. You have chosen such a beautiful subject.☺ Beautiful shots indeed !
They are regal and fascinating birds and I am glad you feel about them as I do!
Your photos are a delight, Cindy. Loved the synchronised droplets. 🙂 What a pity you won’t see the cygnets. Or will you?
I won’t see the cygnets, who are probably quite big by now. If I lived near them, I would be there everyday!
Great !!!
Merci beaucoup!
De rien, ma chère 🙂
<3
Them thar swans is reall purty
You are so fortunate to have a significant black swan population in GB.
They’re beautiful.
So happy you like them & wonderful to hear from you!
Gorgeous photos, Cindy!
Thank you very much & cheers to you~
I do love swans, so magestic.
They class up rivers and lakes quite nicely! 😉
I absolutely adore the ones with the eggs! How cool is that!💕💕💕
She stole my <3 no question! So pleased you love her too~
Beautiful photos, Cindy. They’re such graceful creatures. 🙂
They are, and such good mamas!
Those are lovely photos of swans. And the first time I’ve seen a swan nest!
Mama was so proud of her eggs! It was wonderful to see~
Gorgeous photos, Cindy. We see swans so frequently that it is easy to forget how serene and beautiful they are – thank you for this reminder 🙂
That reminds me of being in Africa and voicing my thrill at seeing crocodiles. The woman standing next to me said, “Well, they are very common.”
Not where I come from! Laughing……one person’s common is another’s exotic, which is as it should be, I imagine.
It’s what makes the world so interesting! 🙂
Such graceful, beautiful birds. They remind me of one of my favorite childhood books, The Ugly Duckling, by Hans Christian Anderson, one that I read often to my little granddaughter.
I remember it well! <3