Swan Finale

 

There is a sad event attached to this post. Foxes attacked the swan family and took away two cygnets and seriously injured the goose which must have bravely defended the young ones. As a result of the attack, the goose died a day later and the Swan couple took their four remaining cygnets with them walking through the local suburb to another water location which might prove to be more secure against killers like foxes that come up from the river gorge. It is unfortunate that one really stupid English colonial idiot thought it smart to bring foxes to Australia so that he felt more at home. So this will be the last video of the swan family. The footage was taken at the wetland during the weeks before the attack. It took an effort to make the video and the music added is Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor (First Movement) which seems to catch the emotions of the moment - new life and loss. The video can be viewed HERE.

Wetland Birds

 

This seemed a good time to gather into one place some pictures of the birds that live in our local wetland. Some are harder to photograph like the wren above, flitting about, never stopping for more than three seconds. The star attraction has been the black swans and their growing cygnets. After that comes Roberto, the single goose residing there with a few psychological issues, then the moorhens, Eurasian coots, ducks of various breeds, parrots as well and a lone heron which stands aloof in a sage-like pose most of the time. Then there are the new coot chicks to enjoy. Oh so small. We look about for each bird in turn when we visit our wetland, mentally ticking them off, glad to see that they are all doing well, until we meet again. 

Coruscating Water

 

This is something that can enliven us by its majesty: our local wetland coruscating as the morning breeze ripples the surface of the water. The Free Dictionary defines coruscate as: to give forth flashes of light; sparkle and glitter: diamonds coruscating in the candlelight; or to exhibit sparkling virtuosity: a flutist whose music coruscated throughout the concert hall. The video we made catches the sounds of the birds and some of our comments. The camera panned and zoomed in to encapsulate the magic of what the wind and water are doing with the sun’s rays. Enjoy the video here.

Goosey Swan

Roberto

 

This is a visual reflection relating to Roberto the lone goose in the wetland. After the cygnets hatched a month ago this relatively tame goose began to follow them around. Occasionally one of the swan parents would chase Roberto away very aggressively and once it was aggressive in return. After a while a 'separation' was generally accepted and Roberto continued to follow them around at the more acceptable distance. Local people are wondering if the City Council ought to supply Roberto with a mate. We have a video relating to this which can be viewed HERE.

Cygnets Swim

 

The swans moved house! Their new 'base' is across the lake, not that they use it much except at night when the cygnets are all nestled under the wings of the parents. Life seems to have settled among the the various bird folk in the wetland, but the local human population are suddenly visiting. So many people are being invigorated by the sight of six little fluffy cygnets, still under a week old. This good news of every egg hatching offers real escape from the negative mental health risks that are part and parcel of the statewide restriction not to venture more than 5 Kms from home. This is like a free zoo trip for people who live nearby and a renewed and refreshed community forms along the boardwalk of the lake to watch the new arrivals swim about. Peter has made a further video of the last few days at the wetland and this time to the accompaniment of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony (First Movement). It can be viewed HERE.