Mother's Day, 05/09/04
text and photos by Dick Budnik

In my frequent hikes at Teatown Reservation in Westchester County, I've been observing a Mute Swan sitting on her nest. On Saturday afternoon, May 8th I spotted two chicks in the nest underneath their mother's wing. I checked back on Sunday afternoon to find several more chicks in the nest. By late afternoon all the chicks had hatched. Mother swan stood up and walked off the back of the nest. She swam around to the front of the nest to join her mate who was on patrol harassing any living thing that came near the nest. The female swam called once to the young and the chicks waddled down the front of the nest into the lake. Before following his mate, the male swan looked into the nest to make sure everyone was out. After feeding for about 15 minutes in front of the nest, mom lead the chicks back to the nest. The male swam did a couple of victory laps around the lake, chasing every goose and duck it found.

Happy Mother's Day.

Minolta DiMAGE 7ug digital camera

Photos Copyright © 2004 Dick Budnik Photography
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