 |
| So
young that it does not yet have any apprehensions, fears,
or even a care in the world. |
 |
| Sleeping
is one of the young cygnets favorite activities. |
 |
| The
day old cygnet does not venture far from its mother's
side. |
 |
| The
oldest cygnet looks up at the camera in wonderment. |
 |
| Ulysses
is more interested in the nest than getting his picture
taken this day. |
 |
| The
youngest cygnet hitches a ride on Penelope's back with
the other two by her sides. |
 |
| The
oldest two cygnets venture out of the nest on their own
for the first time on their second day. |
 |
| They
are barely strong enough to climb over the branches and
small sticks at the base of the nest. |
 |
| Penelope
turns one of the remaining two eggs giving a rare glimpse
of the oldest two cygnets on their first day. |
 |
| "Well,
if I can't climb all the way back into the nest, I'm just
going to have to sleep right here!" |
 |
| Penelope
is resting with an ever-watchful eye of everything that
is going on. |
 |
| Nap
time! Again!!! |
 |
| Penelope
greets the oldest two cygnets upon their return from
their first venture out from the nest by themselves. |
 |
| Penelope
tends to the edge of the nest to make it easier for the
cygnets to climb back up. |
 |
| The
youngest cygnet is still too weak to venture out from the
nest, so Penelope stays with the youngest while the other
two cygnets explore just outside the nest. |
 |
| The
youngest cygnet, on the right, sleeps most of the time to
recover its strength while the older two are more
attentive. |
 |
| Penelope
has never been happier! |
 |
| The
youngest cygnet sleeps under Penelope's wing while the
older two cygnets get more adjusted to the outside world. |
 |
| It
is starting to get cold outside, so all three cygnets
start to climb underneath Penelope's wings. They are so
young that they think that if their heads are underneath
their mother's wing, then their whole bodies must be
there as well. Penelope informs them otherwise with a
nudge. |
 |
| The
cygnets stand in the nest, seen through the reeds. |
 |
| Penelope
leads the threed cygnets from the water back into the
nest. |
 |
| Ulysses
comes up to the nest to meet his new offspring after
Penelope calls him over. |
 |
| The
oldest cygnet had a rude introduction to the world on his
first day that was rainy and cold. |
