.............and then there were two

I am almost certain that these are the two swans that I photographed walking along the road with their cygnet a couple of weeks ago. No cygnet in sight today, so things aren't looking too good for them. At this time of year this lake is usually home to lots of ducklings too, but not a one in sight today or on my last visit. It's a mystery.

I went to art class today. our class is divided up into six week blocks and we have just started a new block where we are doing collagraph printing. It is a quite fascinating process where you make a plate by sticking different textures onto a card and cover it with shellac varnish before inking it up and rolling it through a press onto damp watercolour paper. Looking forward to experimenting some more next week.

I was a bit worried about Joey Boy this morning. I am not sure if his insect bites are getting him down, or the shame of being sprayed largely purple yesterday mean that he is spending much of his time lurking glumly in the stable. I will have to keep a close eye on him, poor old boy.

Oh, and one of the chickens is looking decidedly dodgy with a very pale comb, hunched stance and a completely empty crop. We shall have to wait and see what the outcome of that one is.

[Mark Lynham]

never an easy time for the young at this time of year :-(

[JH]

Come to think of it I haven't seen our swans & cygnets for a while either.

[Hazel]

Love the composition. It sounds as if you have a few things to keep you occupied.

[Maggiemae]

This is a special little picture with the two beautiful swans! I hope Joey Boy isn't a son? I don't like the sound of a pale comb, really!

[Wendy]

Very serene picture with beautiful, soft lighting. Too bad about the cygnet.

[Judith Greenwood]

Our family of cygnets is down from 7 to 6 but there is a really sparsity of ducklings.

[Veena Gupta]

Beautiful Photo and story.

[🐞Lucy Dolittle]

Lovely shot jan but can understand your animal worries. Poor joey, does he feel hot? Perhaps infection? How about red mite? Pale combs and all that. Also worms, try vermis and garlic cloves in the water (deters mite). It's such a worry with animals.

[❀ Lynn]

Pretty photo...nicely composed....sorry to hear about your livestock worries.

[Margaret Brown]

Love the composition of this capture

[Lisa Pouncy]

This is so beautifully composed. I love the natural framing with the scene lit up xx

[Amrita]

Oh I love this! Such a graceful image!

[Jane]

Gorgeous shot.... hope the cygnets are okay... always a worrying time for the young babies as so many predators around... I know its nature but nature can be very hard...... ♥
The art class sounds amazing and I look forward to hearing more about your collagraph printing, it really does sound fascinating ♥

[PasadenaRose]

So many animal woes. :-(
Very sad about the cygnet, after that trek across the countryside. Lovely shot of the empty-nest parents.

I think I must have peeked ahead at some point, because I'm sure I've read that the chicken didn't make it. I do hope Joey is alright.