18 Likes
13 Likes
Cheating! Two of the pics in the thumbnail are the Clinton’s cat Socks. 
8 Likes
We’ve seen this guy on the camera for a couple weeks but this the first time it didn’t run off when I got the camera.
The one on the left has been around for a few years. No idea where the new one came from.
13 Likes
23 Likes
Indeed!
10 Likes
It was a date!
12 Likes
Socks are always found in pairs!
15 Likes
4 Likes
16 Likes
11 Likes
Nice hooter
3 Likes
I think you found this year’s Superb Owl!
12 Likes
Today is swan day.
The first photos with them on the ice were this morning, a short walk from our house. We live near a huge marsh/wetland. Nope, not frozen to the ice. Some days they find a hole and float constantly moving their feet to keep it from freezing. Some days it’s not possible. It was 6F when I took these. They need quite the running start to take off from land or water but landing on land takes a lot out of them so the prefer landing on open water.
These are actually in my backyard in the spring. The parents will take food from your hand but they don’t discriminate between food and fingers so you have to be careful. I have a photo somewhere with the babies riding on mom’s back.
This is the same area as the ones on the ice. They will build a huge nest and have babies in the spring. Sometimes they build their nest close to the highway and after the babies are born you have to be careful running along the highway because they do protect their young. They hiss and will raise up flapping their wings. That’s when we cross the road and talk nice to them.
I almost got the heart.
This last one was a couple years ago at a local marina. It was initially froze to the ice for several days. We got advice from a rescue actually in England because over there they are protected. They advised us what to do. Once it warmed up a bit it was able to walk around but by that time it was not in good shape. We finally found a rescue that came and got it. Around here they are considered an invasive species so no one is licensed to rescue them and the DNR will shoot them.
17 Likes
We have the same issue in Indiana. I have a swan couple who have been on our property making babies every spring for about 5-7 years now (I’ve given up keeping track of time). Locals think I’m an idiot for liking them, and whenever the subject comes up, make a point of offering to kill them for me.
Meanwhile, will no one rid me of these stupid Canada geese?
15 Likes
We get the geese but fortunately we’re home enough so I can chase them off before they get too comfortable. If they have babies they can stay for a bit.
By us, the duck hunters hate the swans because they claim the swans scare off the ducks that the hunters want to kill.
I also hear stories about the swans being mortal enemies of other waterfowl but around here there are plenty of swans, ducks, and geese sharing the same tiny patch of open water in the winter. The rest of the year there is only a problem if a person or animal wander too close to their babies.
I hear stories about how the swans are aggressive toward personal water craft but they never tell you about how some of those idiots chase the swans or get too close to their babies.
When we kayak through the marsh we take a loaf of bread in case we need to pass and they won’t let us. A little food and they’re fine.
Occasionally a swan will get hit by a car and the body will be on the side of the road where the mate will swim back and forth for days and weeks until the body is removed. It’s sad and beautiful all at the same time. They really do seem to mate for life.
7 Likes
They mate for life, but there are a few exceptions: death, obviously, but also if in the first few years together they don’t establish an ability to mate and create babies that at least make it to birth they will split and find another mate instead.
9 Likes
