Swans in the Ocean

I am a bit late posting tonight because we have been at the theatre this afternoon and out for dinner this evening with friends.

Yesterday afternoon when David and I were walking on our local beach we spotted a gang of swans or as I believe they are called 'a bevy'. I didn't know that, I just Googled it.

You don't expect to see swans in the ocean do you but we get quite a lot of them here.

There were about 18 of them in this group and they were preening themselves on the beach. As I got closer though they wandered off into the water as you can see here. They feed on algae and seagrass in the ocean.

[Casablanca]

They are called a wedge when they are flying, but I have heard bevy quite often, also flock. So I had a look on the British Bird Lovers website and was fascinated to see this extended list!
swans - a gaggle of swans
swans (flying) - a wedge of swans
swans - a bank of swans
swans - a bevy of swans
swans - a whiteness of swans
swans - a herd of swans
swans - an eyrar of swans
swans - a gargle of swans

Apparently they are all in use! Either way a super bird. I have never before seen them in the ocean, how fascinating.

[sally agnew]

How unusual to see them wandering off on the ocean :)

[Babs]

@casablanca Interesting that they have so many collective names. I guess 'gang' wasn't of them then. I figure a whiteness of swans isn't a good collective name for them here either as our swans are black. I suppose it could be changed to a blackness of swans though.

We get quite a lot of them in the ocean here, they feed on algae and sea grass.

[Lou Ann]

@casablanca this list is so cool. I like Bab’s moniker “gang” too. Fun!

[Beryl Lloyd]

Even a swan has to have a paddle in the sea !!

[Diana]

What a great find and capture of this most unusual sight. One seems to be checking if it is ok to go in ;-)

[Henri Russell]

I had never seen a black swan until I visited Australia. I think they are beautiful.

[mittens (Marilyn)]

Cute capture and I love how they are all in a row.

[gloria jones]

Great shot, pov

[carol white]

A lovely capture

[Helen Sanderson]

Lots of people think swans dont go to the ocean. Great capture!

[Ann Williams]

What a lovely group wading into the water.

[Danette Thompson]

Very interesting

[Pyrrhula]

Great shot of the birds. Sounds like you did have a great time.

[Suzanne]

Interesting information from @casablanca I think a ballet of swans would be a good name! I too never knew they went in the ocean

[Babs]

@hermann @beryl @ludwigsdiana @henrir @mittens @carolmw @hrs @flowerfairyann @danette @pyrrhula @suzanne234 Thanks, group reply again, sorry. We are out for lunch today so still short of time.
We get a lot of swans here, they feed on algae and sea grass in the ocean.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

Interesting! I have seen them down by the shore on our Atlantic coast- but usually in the brackish waters of the Bay side and not in the ocean. Good shot!

[Marnie]

On the count of three, all together now!!! Love this shot Babs. Lots of swans along our coastline especially in Gippsland.

[KWind]

Great to see so many together. Nice capture.

[Valerie Chesney]

Wonderful Babs....lovely image

[bkb in the city]

Great capture

[Babs]

@golftragic Indeed, they saw me and skedaddled, do you think it was something I said. There were about 18 of them feeding on seagrass.

[4rky]

Fantastic capture :)

[Jane Morley]

We saw some from the bedroom French windows of a little place we stayed in somewhere in Australia. I can't remember where it was but I've never forgotten the image.

[Marnie]

@onewing What a shame, did you say 'boo' to a goose, well, would you believe, a swan?

[haskar]

Well find. Great shot.

[Angela]

Love how they've arranged themselves!

[CC Folk]

Fav!

[Leslie Manna]

Oh Babs, thanks for link; I have NEVER seen Black Swans...........really exciting to me as a lifelong birder. I didn't even know black Swans existed! AND, in the ocean; are you kidding me! This is so much fun for me, thanks, and FAV!!!