Sunday, November 15, 2015

Ducks And Swans

There are a number of swans, a captive population, that are released on the Rideau River in May each year. They are brought back in by late October to be taken to winter quarters here in the city, but through the season can be found along the length of the river, from around Carleton University downstream to Strathcona Park. I photographed this pair, along with a whole lot of ducks, near Billings Bridge in early October.

43 comments:

  1. These swans give peace and tranquility to the environment.

    Tomás.

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  2. Beautiful reflections. Love the swans, they always look so elegant (even when they're honking at you!).

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  3. Swans look so graceful in a river setting. How nice they have a place to winter over and be cared for!

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  4. What a lovely scene in this time of turmoil and trouble in our fractured world of today,

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  5. I love your white swans William, I only ever see black ones.. mind you they are pretty fabulous :)

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  6. Swans are beautiful, such a pretty, idyllic scene. They can be pretty territorial.

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  7. I've never heard of such a thing. And I suppose when they're brought back in they sing their swan song. They're pretty but can be so darn nasty.

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  8. Swans are a majestic and beautiful bird. You caught them having a good look at you.

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  9. Beautiful images of the swan, ducks, birds and the peaceful lake.

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  10. What a lovely place, thanks for these beautiful images...

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  11. i love the swans we have along lake Ontario here. I wonder how they cope with the winter?

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  12. @Whisk: they add to the beauty of the area.

    @Tomas: they do!

    @Halcyon: they certainly do look elegant!

    @Marianne: that they are.

    @EG: it's a good arrangement for them!

    @Kate: as things turned out, this seemed an appropriate shot for today.

    @Grace: and I only see black swans in photographs!

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  13. @Linda: they can be, yes.

    @Lowell: in the spring they refuse to come to anyone when they're first out on the water. They're more interested in getting used to the water again.

    @Red: I was lucky that they came to say hello.

    @Nancy: thank you.

    @VP: you're welcome.

    @Jackie: I think like ducks, if they have access to open water and a food source, they're fine. Some ducks winter over here, and the river here stays open beneath the nearby bridge.

    @Sharon: that they are.

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  14. After two days of horrible scenes here, it's great to see something peaceful. Thanks.

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  15. Great photos of the swans. I rarely get to see them here and only come across them while on holiday.

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  16. Wow, what beautiful pictures! They kind of look like paintings in museum :-) Such a peaceful scenery.

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  17. Aren't they beautiful?? You got some great photos of them.

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  18. @Stuart: you're welcome.

    @Norma: and they know it!

    @Marleen: indeed.

    @Gerald: I had good conditions that particular day.

    @Denise: I'm used to them here, but they might often be in some other stretch of the river when one's in the area.

    @Tamago: thank you!

    @Pamela: they were willing photo subjects!

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  19. They are such elegant creatures!

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  20. Thank you for these soothing photos!

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  21. Never tire of watching swans William, I particularly like the third picture...

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  22. If swans and ducks can get along, why can't we?

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  23. I have always loved the elegance of swans, but recently found out the hard way that they like to nip toes.

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  24. Swans and ducks ignore each other. Humans interact. Great pictures!

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  25. gorgeous swans ... love the area. what a beautiful place to relax & veg. ( :

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  26. Beautiful swans, but can be scary!

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  27. So pretty! Swans are so photogenic!

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  28. Where do they winter in the city? One imagines them in a sort of warehouse/spa













    ALOHA, Friend
    ComfortSpiral

    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_('')

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  29. @RedPat: they are!

    @Ciel: you're welcome.

    @Geoff: thanks!

    @Tex: they are.

    @Revrunner: one wonders.

    @Debs: I can imagine!

    @Mari: thank you!

    @Beth: there are many miles of pathways here.

    @Peter: I know they can be temperamental.

    @Linda: they certainly are!

    @Cloudia: I'm not sure where their winter quarters are, actually!

    @Karl: they do!

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  30. Oh how beautiful are the swans. Thank you for sharing.

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  31. Lovely, serene shots. Those swans sound like an interesting twist on snowbirds. I wonder what kind of winter quarters they have.

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  32. Looks pretty.... where you are.

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