Babs has been bird-watching. She writes: In Elk Rapids there is a family of swans: Mom, Dad and five cygnets. I’m told there were originally nine, but only five are left. This little one seems to be doing yoga or some other morning stretching exercise.
I almost never get to see cygnets up close. (I am cautious around swans. They are taller than I am.) This one looks downright pettable. I confess I cannot tell it from a gosling or a duckling, but I’m sure Mom and Dad can. Unlike me, they are not dazzled by the reflections on the water.
Posted in: Babs Young photos
Torch Lake Views 
Sybil
July 18, 2011
And one
and two
and three
and four.
Now stretch …
Lovely photo.
Gerry
July 18, 2011
I am inclined to agree, Sybil. That Babs–dunno what we’d do without her.
Heather
July 18, 2011
We were very recently harassed by that swan family. Mom and Dad are very protective, so I’d recommend skipping the petting 😉
Gerry
July 18, 2011
Ah well. Many things that are pettable are, in fact, best left alone. I keep trying to explain this to the Cowboy, to no avail.
I, too, am protective–which is ironic, as Rob the Firefighter is a grown man who rather feels the burden of protecting me every now and then. In any case, I am in sympathy with Mama and Papa Swan. It’s all a matter of perspective. (I have been reading an account of the 1876 battle at the Greasy Grass River by an Oglala Lakota writer.)
Fee
July 19, 2011
Swans I like – even if I’m inclined to admire from a safe distance, especially when they have little ones. Ducks, I also like. Especially the little ones. Geese, now – in my experience, noisy, vicious and only acceptable when roasted with chestnuts.
Gerry
July 19, 2011
My sentiments exactly. Except for wild geese, who have never menaced me the way my grandmother’s Eidem geese did. Wild geese are just messy. Very, very messy.
P.j. grath
July 19, 2011
I would never try to pet a swan of any age. Protective parents are no doubt lurking nearby. Lovely picture, though.
Gerry
July 19, 2011
It is nice, isn’t it! I may have to swear off petting altogether. Miss Sade and the Cowboy have been rolling in something.
isathreadsoflife
July 19, 2011
Funny picture and talented cygnet. Do I see a hint of a smile as he is showing off in front of Babs :)? A great shot.
Gerry
July 19, 2011
Hello Isa! You might be right about the smile. Babs has that effect on a lot of people.
Lauren
July 19, 2011
Fun shot…love the pointed foot… I’m dazzled by the reflections on that blue blue water too… ooooh ahhhhh!
Gerry
July 19, 2011
Doesn’t that water look cool though? Oh lovely coolness . . .
Kathy
July 19, 2011
Cute little fella! I remember loving watching the swans on Intermediate Lake. Although some of those big mamas and papas could snap like crazy if you got too close to the babies. Love this shot.
Gerry
July 19, 2011
The Friends of Babs have been telling her the cygnet is one of her better efforts–which is saying a lot. Perhaps we should have them printed up in a limited edition.
Karma
July 20, 2011
What a wonderful photo! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cygnet. I imagine she was lucky to get close enough to get this shot as I’ve heard mama and papa swans are not the friendliest of creatures.