Yeadon Tarn is home to a number of waterbirds, and seems a favourite place for swans. Such powerful and beautiful birds, they have a proud history. At one time they were considered a valuable commodity, traded and eaten as a delicacy on special occasions. Unmarked mute swans are still, in theory, the property of the Queen, though I don't think she exercises her right these days, except on the Thames (See HERE) where a Royal Swan Keeper is still maintained. The annual tradition of swan-upping still continues on the Thames, when young cygnets are rounded up and marked. These days it is mainly a conservation exercise, a way of checking the population and condition of the birds.
The only tradition that continues locally is feeding them! Plenty of people still give them bread but there are other foods better for them. Someone had scattered corn and peas at the edge of the Tarn.
Swans (apparently) mate for life. Out in the middle of the lake, a pair were doing a courtship routine, bobbing heads and thrashing the water, circling round each other. One of them was quite a young one, judging by its brown feathers, and they did seem a bit amateur and fumbling compared to some pairs I've watched!
Further along, a pair of mandarin ducks proved frustratingly camera-shy. I should have picked up a handful of corn and tried to tempt them nearer!
Mandarin ducks are tricky to see, let alone photograph. It's curious how such brightly coloured birds can fade into the background. I often wonder what we would think of swans if they were rare, infrequently-seen birds rather than such familiar creatures.
ReplyDeleteSwans are so elegant usually. Feeding ducks and swans bread is a problem.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful swans...and I have certainly chased my share of Mandarin ducks who knew I wanted their photos...and were able to continually swim to the furthest side of the middle of the pond!
ReplyDeleteThat first picture is absolute perfection! Like a Renaissance painting!
ReplyDeleteYes, that first picture has really come out well.
ReplyDeleteVery graceful.
ReplyDeleteSwans are so elegant!
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