There are a small group of us who have been waiting since Good Friday for the Swan Eggs of Blanche and Blue Boy to hatch. Last year, they had six Cygnets - including *Galahad*, the all-grey one, whom I fell in love with...
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| Galahad at five months... |
This year, there were five eggs in the nest....and we all watched hopefully....I was there on Sunday and Blanche was turning the eggs - which signified to me that there were living Cygnets inside....
Yesterday morning, I was listening to our Classical Music Station and they played a piece by Camille Saint-Saens called *The Swan*. Of course, I took this as an *Omen* and dashed over to the Palace of Fine Arts.
When I arrived, Cygnet #1 was already born....a perfect, little *Fluffball*. Mama Blanche was so proud.
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| Where was Papa Blue Boy? Resting! Our group of visitors all applauded (quietly) and congratulated them too! Here's Cygnet #1 having his first bite of lettuce! |
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Ohh.....yummy! |
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| Blue Boy and Blanche congratulate each other on a job well done! And then, a second Cygnet born! (Look to the left of Blanche's Bill..) |
We all *oohed and awed* over TWO Cygnets.
As I was preparing to leave, a third Cygnet was born.
No photos of #3, but today, I hope to have photos of FIVE!
It was a wonderful, miraculous day! Our group was exhausted, as if we'd been in the Delivery Room with Blanche!
* Post Script*...Just home from another visit...one more Cygnet born...now there are FOUR! (Still one unhatched egg..)
* Post Script*...Just home from another visit...one more Cygnet born...now there are FOUR! (Still one unhatched egg..)
Happy Animal Wednesday Everyone!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Post Script #2....on Thursday, we sadly discovered the fifth egg contained a dead Cygnet.....so we now have the *Fluffy Gang of Four*. Here are a few updated photos and a video for you. Baby #1 (Grey) is 4 days old, Babies #2 (Grey) & 3 (Blondish) are three days old and Baby #4 (Blondish) is 2 days old.
On the water for the first time with Mum and Dad..
Eating Cheerios from their *Godmother*...that's me! A-ha-ha!
Post Script #2....on Thursday, we sadly discovered the fifth egg contained a dead Cygnet.....so we now have the *Fluffy Gang of Four*. Here are a few updated photos and a video for you. Baby #1 (Grey) is 4 days old, Babies #2 (Grey) & 3 (Blondish) are three days old and Baby #4 (Blondish) is 2 days old.
On the water for the first time with Mum and Dad..
Eating Cheerios from their *Godmother*...that's me! A-ha-ha!
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| Blanche goes after some of the reeds in the lake bottom - she loves them and is teaching the Cygnets to love them too! |
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| Baby #4....on his first day of life...he was a bit premature and kept falling asleep on the water.. |
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| *You lookin' at me?* Everyone seems healthy and happy... Love, ♥ Robin ♥ |
So sweet. How cool to get to see some hatch. My neighbor has let her Duck lay on eggs and we are hoping to see some babies soon. Empire is the daddy so not sure if Muscovy and Indian Runner ducks can propagate. We will see. HAW
ReplyDeleteCris, yes...this was so magical....
DeleteIt WILL be interesting to see if Empire and Ms. Muscovy will have babies! Keep me posted!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
I had no idea that a mommy bird turns the eggs! The babies are so cute-cute and fuzzy. Great shots!
ReplyDelete**blows kisses** Deb
Deb....seeing her turn the eggs was something I didn't know either...
DeleteI wonder about the origins of the *Ugly Ducklng* tale...because I have always thought the Cygnets beautiful!
Blows Kisses back to you!
♥ Robin ♥
i love this post. so well written and fun. how wonderful to be applauded when giving birth! and so neat to have musical accompanyment. thank you. I too feel proud.
ReplyDeleteI was thrilled to share this with my dear friends! It is wonderful to see Nature at its best - right in front of one! I tried to capture it as best I could!
DeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteDid you feel like a midwife?
Anyway, now you can consider yourself a Godmother.
Will a favorite come forth? Time will tell.
Hi Ring! Actually, I did feel a little Mid-Wifey! It will be hard to have a favourite... but seeing #2 and 3 being born is pretty cool....yet, #4 - the Preemie is so adorable... as you said time will tell.
DeleteHugs from Robin (aka the Cygnet Godmother) ♥♥♥♥
Absolute sweetness! Wonderful photographs~
ReplyDeleteMichelle - hello! Thank you for visiting and for liking my photos...it was an extraordinary week!
Delete♥ Robin ♥
Oh my goodness, this is such a warm and wonderful experience. Love seeing and hearing about the swans. I was umming Swan Lake as I read this.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Teri....I so happy you came to visit and experience my *Swan Lake*! ♥♥
Deleteoh my gosh, what a pleasure to be witness to this precious growing family! i agree - monsieur grey one would be my favorite too!!! enjoy your little adopted brood - straight out of an opera!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHi Twin... you know me well enough now to know how precious a gift it was to witness this!!!!
DeleteLove,
Your SF Twin,
♥ Robin ♥
Do you have a favorite kind of classical music? Do you listen much to other kinds of music?
ReplyDeleteSnow, I love all Classical Music...and as you will soon see, Opera is my favourite....I work behind the scenes at SF Opera...and our season begins in a few days...
ReplyDeleteI DO, however, like some Rock, some Country (oh yes) and even some Jazz.... *If Music be the Food of Life...." etc.
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
p.s. You know I keep you in my thoughts and....p--y--s.... ♥♥
Robin, my plane didn't just land, kiddo; I know very well of your love for opera and your work with opera.
DeleteJust kiddin' Snowy! Trying to get a rise out of you! A-ha-ha! ♥♥
DeleteAhhhh baby cygnet number 4 asleep on the water ... never seen anything so utterly adoreable Robin. Well done for taking such fantastic photos!
ReplyDeleteJust popping by to say I hope you enjoy the start of the opera season. Pretty jealous about you getting to see Cosi Fan Tutte ... love some of the arias in that work. Happy days.
Big hug to you Robin, I hope you are well. xx Jos
Thanks Jos... I felt privileged to witness these first few days in their lives..
DeleteCosi is a wonderful aria... send me your address and I will mail you a programme.
I think of you often....and know you are in a long process of mourning and healing...BUT..this may sound corny...you will have so many wonderful memories of your Mum when you listen to Operas you experienced together. (Home e-mail address is: Lilacrobin@att.net.
Love, always,
♥ Robin ♥
Robin, What a lovely post and gorgeous pictures of these beautiful creatures . Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Willow..thank you for visiting. I am happy I was able to share this wonderful event with you!
Delete♥ Robin ♥