Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief... For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. ~ Wendell Berry
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
You couldn't tell where the sky ended and the reflection on the pond began. In the calm water, they were one.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Blowing Bubbles
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
It Must be Love
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Why?
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
The female is always a little more cautious. She's still sitting on a nest full of eggs that are no longer viable.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Young male still protecting the nest full of eggs that are no longer viable.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Still waiting....(sigh)...
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Not yet!
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Many times a day, the female reorganizes the eggs, making sure each is kept warm. There are nine in the nest. I have yet to see the male take his turn on the nest, but maybe we need to give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he's doing night-duty.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
After settling back in she realized that one egg had slipped outside the warmth of her body. She gave it the funniest look, as if to say..."How did you get out of bed?"
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
When I felt the unaccustomed somberness of the pond this morning...I knew.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
And the process begins again. She uses her head as a spade to lift and turn the eggs. Watching them the other day, I was sure I could only count eight eggs, but she was standing on the nineth. They must be really strong.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
This pair is doing really well. He is always close to the nest, and seems unusually tolerant of the Canadian Geese. The female is calm, and looks strong and beautiful now that her protector is near.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Fantastic news!
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Shhhhh.......mommy's resting.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
All's well here!
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Uncertainty
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
If you're looking for trouble, you've come to the right place.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Don't even think it!
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
She never disappoints. When I slip out the door, walk down the lane and through the gate into Nature's backyard, she's always waiting.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Not sure if Dad's sulking or whether he's exhausted from his few minutes on the eggs. He doesn't know he has a long summer ahead if all the eggs hatch.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Mom sees him standing on the eggs, and comes flying across the pond and gives him a tongue-lashing. Although his body language is quite aggressive (head back), he takes up a protective position over the eggs, and she goes back to having a little R&R.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
I've only seen the female on this nest, but today Dad was on the nest. Literally. Poor boy looked clueless. He's massive, and he may need a few lessons in egg-sitting. Start by sitting.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
I've got a secret....
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Out for a run on Golden Pond
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Trumpeter Swan taking off on water runway.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
Testing the waters.
Lynda Murtha PhotoArt ~:
What is this?
