Siesta! by helstor365

Siesta!

Mum and dad in the middle of the path watching their little ones (there is one more cygnet in the grass to the left). Humans can pass but if you come with a dog the swans will let you know that you better turn around and go back where you came from :-)
Lovely capture!
July 16th, 2022  
Beautiful shot of this little family. How come the swans are grey, is it because of the light?
July 16th, 2022  
@ludwigsdiana The cygnets have grey down when they are born. When they start developing feathers, the feathers are first a greyish/brown colour but slowly as they approach the 1 year mark you will see more and more white feathers.
July 16th, 2022  
I know about the cygnets Helge, but the parents are grey too, I have never seen grey ones before.
July 17th, 2022  
@ludwigsdiana Sorry, you mean the head and neck of the adult swans? I always tought it was just mud from feeding from the river/lake bottom but it seems to be another reason :

"The orange/brown staining on the head and neck is from tannin in the iron-rich water. Trumpeter Swans feed, "tip up" and search the bottom of rivers, lakes and wetlands for food. They are mostly vegetarians as adults. Their heads and necks spend a lot of time under water!"
July 17th, 2022  
@helstor365 Thanks so much Helge, I thought it was a different breed :-)
July 17th, 2022  
Love this perfect little family.
July 17th, 2022  
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