There's a family of Mute Swans that lives on the pond in the center of East Hampton, New York. They've been there for as long as memory serves and each spring the cob (that's Dad) and the pen (that's Mom) start a new family and produce five to nine cygnets (those are the kids). It's really quite something to watch this family float along the water right in the center of town.
One can spend hours on the water's edge watching them preen, play and nap, which is exactly what Peter and I did last spring. There were seven cygnets then, one "blond" and six "brunettes". The pen never wanders very far from her brood, but the cob ... that's another story which plays out in the slide show and video attached below.
Permit me to set this up for you. As we all know, swans mate for life, which is a reality that can make even the most monogamous pine for a little variety from time to time. Despite having a picture perfect family and a beautiful mate, this cob just had to stretch his wings and see what might be happening at the other end of the pond, and what did he find? Apparently one equal to his every fantasy, one rendering him powerless and unable to restrain his passionate nature, one willing to receive his attentions and caresses without complaint for hours on end - literally.
Photos and slide show by Claudia Ward, 2010, All Rights Reserved
Music: Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Op.20: No.22 Danse Napolitaine by Boston Pops Orchestra & Seiji Ozawa
This cob showered kisses upon this reflection of himself for over an hour and as you can see was truly devastated when the object of his affections was taken away. Have you ever seen anyone so utterly dejected?
Video by Peter Tooker, 2010, All Rights Reserved
i just loved this slideshow and the video was a great follow-up- thank you
Posted by: ally | Sunday, July 18, 2010 at 08:18 PM
These pictures are beautiful - - - oh, I know a couple of people that could match that swan in the narcissism department
Posted by: Paul Angotta | Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 09:51 PM
Bob, The car came away clean; the swan's never been the same!
Posted by: Claudia | Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 12:07 PM
Bravo! no mistaking Peter's laugh ! ~) perfect vid for a Sun morn as I sip my tea and watch the clouds try to lift off the mountains here. Hope the Swan's bill didn't scratch that nice finish!
Posted by: Cuzzin Robert | Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 11:32 AM
So glad to hear you laughed, I do everytime I see it, and the laughter on the video is Peter.
Posted by: Claudia | Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 11:14 AM
You out did yourselves with this one. The second one was so funny, and I especially loved the laughter when the object of his affections drove away. Alas! You made my Sunday!
Posted by: Barbara Andolsek Paintings | Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 11:07 AM