Uploads from Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ), tagged cygnusolor

Swan 'tache

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 09:29:03 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

Just liked the impressive moustache-work.....

Cyggy

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 08:57:04 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

A slightly gratuitous cygnet closeup, I just love the texture of their feathers at this age, looks more like fur than feather, must feel so soft to the touch.

Let's Be Still

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 05:34:52 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

I wish I could pop one in the post for you Lori : )

Dark Side Of The Swan

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Tue, 28 May 2013 06:11:53 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

For some reason this normally mild mannered swan has gone into territorial overdrive, he's been terrorising the white ducks for weeks but is now turning on those with ducklings. I've seen swans kill ducks before but these ones made it to the safety of the reedbed, once the ducklings were safe she actually fought back which was really quite impressive. There's a little series below...

PLEASE if you haven't done so already think about signing the petition against the badger cull which starts next week, thanks everyone : )
epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/38257

CYGNETS

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:11:47 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

There were nine when this was taken, they're down to seven now but that's still a pretty healthy number. I was having kittens last night 'cause I couldn't find them anywhere or their mother and dad was standing forlornly on the nest as though he'd lost them too. I looked everywhere, even driving round the other end of the reservoir. Just when I was having all these dark thoughts about what might have happened they appeared from nowhere, PHEW ! I found another secret swan nest at the other end too : )

When I Grow Up I'm Gonna Have A Seven Foot Wingspan...

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Sun, 19 May 2013 06:01:22 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

Course you are dear....

Nonuplets !?!?

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Mon, 13 May 2013 08:31:08 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

I had to look the term for nine babies up, nearly called it octuplets plus one ! I nearly keeled over when I saw nine cygnets, I'd only seen four while they were on the nest, a record for me I think but having a quick look on Flickr it doesn't seem to be that unusual. I'm so chuffed for these swans, last year they lost five cygnets overnight and the year before lost all their eggs before they even hatched. I really feared for them with the cold and wet nights, there was a huge hale storm half an hour before I took this but they were safely on the nest at the time. This might be their first swim, proud daddy on the right : ) And yes, even using f/29 I couldn't get them all sharp....

I Hate That Duck !

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 08:15:15 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

He seems to have mistaken two of the white ducks for miniature swans and is bullying them terribly, like a white rag to a swan....

Heart-Shaped Cygnets ( Almost )

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:44:23 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

I hadn't planned to put another one on tonight but this was a nice surprise from this evening, didn't really notice the way they were looking at each other at the time. They seemed to be going through some of the ritualised courtship like adults do, I've never seen cygnets so young do that before.

She's A Mover

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 06:50:43 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

This poor mallard and her ducklings are getting some very rough treatment from the male who's normally pretty mild mannered, don't know why he's persecuting her particularly, they all made it to safety this time though. I have got used to the new Flickr pretty much but I miss EXIF and Sets !! I know you can view them by clicking on things but they should be there to see, it's interesting to see the settings people use and even educational.

The Big Star song :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Km82-Kjh7oU

Full Steam Ahead Mother

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:12:57 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

Nonuplets ( Still !! )

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:17:08 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

Well they couldn't have been born into worse weather, last night was so cold with torrential rain, a minor miracle all nine cygnets are still alive. I swear baby birds can tell when it's gonna rain, after this they were snuggling up under mum's wing and then lo and behold the rain started again.

?!

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Wed, 15 May 2013 08:33:10 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

I've got no idea what was in there but it must have been tasty, it didn't get stuck by the way !

Snug As A Bug In A Rug

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:39:23 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

I've always thought being snuggled in a swan's feathers must be the cosiest place in the world, they were quite keen to come out and explore once the rain stopped though. This is what it's all about for me, the rest of the year builds up to moments like this, I love this time of year. A total twig-fest again but what can you do.

PRECIOUS

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:18:55 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

So chuffed to see them at last, couldn't get a clear shot with the twiggage unfortunately, there's at least four and hopefully more. I think they might have hatched yesterday, I went at 7:30 last night and mother was really fidgeting like there was something underneath her. About as bad weather as possible for them to be born into, it was chucking it down the whole time I was there this afternoon. I really feared for them last night 'cause it was freezing with the wind too, I really hope they don't lose too many. I also hope they don't attract too much attention, but then just pointing a camera at them draws attention to animals unfortunately.

You Couldn't Make It Up...

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Tue, 07 May 2013 07:57:11 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

Not the most amazing shot but I've been wondering why the male is still tolerating his own youngsters and other swans too, there were more than 20 there today. He's normally notoriously agressive and had killed his own young before. Well I spoke to this bloke today and whether it's true or not I don't know...........but he reckoned that these Chinese blokes grabbed the male swan and bundled him into a van. I don't know when this was supposed to have happened but it seems the female has found a new mate since. A new mate who doesn't seem to be chasing other swans off. The implication from this guy was that these people had taken the swan to eat which almost beggars belief. The birds here are persecuted by dogs and kids with sticks, air rifles and god knows what else and they are often killed but I never imagined that someone would actually TAKE a swan. Whether it's true or not I don't know but the guy who told me was certainly knowledgeable about the birds in general and was adamant. Once again NEVER MOVE TO LOUGHBOROUGH !!!!!

Love-Birds

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Mon, 06 May 2013 07:39:48 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

Young mute swans pair bonding at Charnwood Water, Loughborough. I'm stuck at home till later, I bet my swans' eggs have hatched and I'm missing out !?!?

Swan Love

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Thu, 02 May 2013 08:41:42 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

They wouldn't quite do the heart shape for me but I thought this was rather sweet.

SUNSET SWAN

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 13:12:03 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

A Gentle Nudge..

nobody@flickr.com (Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull )) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:53:15 -0700

Dan Belton ( No Badger Cull ) posted a photo:

The new nest's nearly finished and the youngsters are becoming increasingly unwelcome, as are geese and any white ducks within a mile.