Wildlife Photo Gallery

Though I have had these pictures for nearly a month before I have posted them, I did not post them right away because of the tragedies that have befallen this clutch that Penelope tried to raise. Had these eggs and cygnets fallen prey to wild predators, it still would have been a difficult ordeal to accept, though since these are wild animals it may have been less objectionable. But, the eggs and cygnets that you will see in the following pictures did not fall prey to wild animals, but instead met their demise or abduction at the hands of humans. I only hope that their short time with their parents and in this world will bring pleasure to those who view these pictures. And, I hope that those of you who enjoy these pictures will understand what a horrific thing it was that people did to destroy this clutch and to tear the last two cygnets from their loving parents. The pictures are self-explanatory. I do not think that I will have to point out the emotions that obviously show the love, devotion, and pride that Ulysses and Penelope had for their cygnets and the happiness that they enjoyed with their offspring. For those of you who think that animals do not feel the same emotions as people and do not care for their offspring the same way, and in some cases probably more, than how humans feel for their offspring, you should take a close look at these birds, their expressions, and their obvious bonds for one another. These swans allowed me to do something that is very rare. They allowed me to get close enough to their nest to photograph them in their natural element with their newly born offspring as part of their family circle. If nothing else, you will understand why I went through so much trouble to try to protect this exceptional family of swans that was destroyed by humans for reasons that are as outrageous as the evil acts that humans perpetrated on these gentle creatures.

Penelope picked a seemingly quiet, remote area in the reeds for her nest.

The coverage from the reeds can not hide Penelope's clean, white plumage from anybody within even far distances.

Penelope rests her head on her back for a nap.

Penelope conserves her energy while on the nest because she can not get off of the nest to feed on vegetation as much as she normally does when she is not nesting.

The nest is not far from the water so that the cygnets will not have far to go once they are hatched. But, the nest is far enough from the water to give Penelope enough warning if a predator emerges from the water, such as a snapping turtle.

It is a peaceful spot that lets Penelope sleep most of the day.

Penelope spreads herself over the eggs to incubate them. She sat on the nest of seven eggs for about six weeks through mostly cold, rainy weather, leaving the nest only to eat enough to sustain herself.

The eggs are a greenish blue pastel color. Swan eggs require a 35 day incubation period that begins the day the pen lays the last egg. The eggs laid on previous day are maintained at a suspension incubation temperature until the pen has laid all the eggs that will be incubated.

Penelope stromps her way back to the nest where her eggs wait for her.

Penelope returns from a little swim in the lake to get a drink and a little food.

The pen makes sure that she is clean and dry before sitting on the nest after coming out of the water.

That Penelope is just too funny!

The pen cleans her entire underside before sitting back on the eggs.

Penelope periodically turns the eggs so that each part of the egg spends some time closest to her warmth and so that they develop consistently througout.

Penelope settles back onto the nest.

Penelope spreads herself out over the eggs and settles in for a little nap.

Penelope inspects the remaining three eggs. The first cygnet is too weak to stand when it is first hatched.

The first cygnet is barely dry but already wants to see the new world around it.

Life under Mom's wing is nice and cozy.

The cygnet quickly grows stronger and more interested in the world outside its mother's wings.

That thing that looks like something your cat coughed up on the carpet is actually a cygnet that just hatched and is still wet from its yolk. Penelope happily takes a concerned look and helps the newly hatched cygnet from its shell.

The second cygnet hatched late in the day and was still wet as night fell. Penelope's warm nest quickly dried the new born cygnet and the cygnet amazingly made it through the cold night without any problems.

The older cygnet comes out from under the wing to greet its visitor. Penelope revels in her new cygnet and is proud to show it off.

The cygnet stays close to mother to keep warm but pokes its head out to see what is going on.

The cygnet pokes its head out to see what's going on as Ulysses comes over to check in on Penelope.

Ulysses patrols the lake to make it safe for the new cygnets and to secure their food source. He starts to loosen up vegatation near the nest in preparation for the cygnets.

Penelope takes a peak to see what is happening under her. Ulysses comes to attention as he hears something that attracts his attention.

Penelope prepares to settle back on the cygnet and the remaining eggs as Ulysses is dispatched to address an intruder.