The swans have entered another phase of life: moulting. Unlike most other birds, ducks, geese and swans lose all their flight feathers at once, rendering them flightless for a period. And I am capitalizing on this by collecting some of their majestic, sword-like feathers that they leave behind.
Feathers grow from follicles in the skin (like hair) and the growth of a new feather from the bottom of the follicle pushes the old one out. A comparison of feather wear shows that dark colored feathers wear out more slowly than white ones.
Swans & their young
One day in May I watched as two swans worked together building a nest in Prospect Park. Later I learned that the female swan would be sitting on the nest (containing her eggs) for more than 30 days! At which time, the cygnets, baby swans, would hatch. I have gone to the nesting site everyday for the last two months tracking the progress of the swans. I've photographed both female and male swans, and everything else that swims, flies or walks by. I have audio of other wildlife around them and short video too. I come back every day, waiting & watching.
Actually, now the waiting is over. "My" swans had five cygnets 11 days ago and are now floating freely around Prospect Park's lake.
Actually, now the waiting is over. "My" swans had five cygnets 11 days ago and are now floating freely around Prospect Park's lake.
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