Mute Swans and Cygnets 2

Continuation from the previous post on the cygnets hatching...

Mother Swan helping

Babies are in the nest for one day, and then are already into the water.  Shelter on the back of the female is never far away.

Two hatched, seven eggs left.

Two oldest Cygnets under Mom's watchful eye.

The pair I watched had nine eggs, of which I believe six hatched, and four lived.  Although the young can fly within about two months, they stay with the parents for about a year to learn migration routes, after which they're sent packing to set out on their own.

Siblings.

One more swan post to come with pictures of the other pair and cygnets up for a ride.
I also recently camped at Long Point Provincial Park where I saw a number of birds and other wildlife... a post to come on that in the near future.