Amazing and Beautiful Swans

Every spring for about the past five or six years, we see some swans come and take up residence in the pond across the street from our home. We admire them every year and adore watching the little babies grow up. Two years ago, one swan returned, all by itself. We were not sure if it was the male or the female(females are smaller), since you can't really tell unless you have a male(a cob) an a female(a pen) next to one another.

Swans mate for life and we were all so heart broken for the swan because we knew it would be alone until it too died. Swan can live a long life, but usually not more than a decade in these areas.

Every time we drove past the pond, my daughters who peer out the window to see how the swan was doing. Last year, the swan returned, once again, all alone. It stayed all summer long, just swimming in the pond daily and diving its lonely head in the water to eat. We were still so very sad for this lost swan.

Just last week we had a surprise in our pond. Two swans! TWO! My daughters were flipping out wondering if the lone swan had found a mate and returned "home". I told them I thought perhaps one of the baby swans from a couple of years ago who probably decided to venture home with its new mate. It takes about three years for a swan to mature and lay eggs.  We can't wait to see baby swans (or cygnets) in about a month or so.

We are studying birds this year in Science, so our visitors are perfect to wrap up our school year. Swans are are so regal and marvelous to look at. Here are some more of the images I took tonight.

Is there a creature more beautiful and graceful than the swan?

About Tiaras & Tantrums: Rese is a mom of three. She enjoys home educating her kiddos, taking photos, and traveling the globe. Rese is a family photographer and home educator. Connect with Rese on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+. Sign up via email for the latest updates from Tiaras & Tantrums.