Yes, there are swans at Swan Pond, Trumpeter Swans. I have named the pair Sven and Sophie. Since Swan Pond is just up the road a piece we will try to get there once a week to keep an eye on them. The cob (Sven) and the pen (Sophie) mate for life. They can live for 20 to 30 years.
The Swans we have observed are not nest building yet. They may be using an old nest on top of a beaver lodge that is way out in the slough. When the nest building commences Sven is the day laborer and Sophie is the actual builder. He brings Sophie the raw materials and she does all the placement...after all she will sit on that nest for many days and it must be just right. When it is perfect she will lay one egg every other day until she has five to nine eggs. She will leave the nest only to feed, bathe, and preen. She will cover the nest when she leaves, and Sven will stand guard in or on the nest. Nests are usually quite large..and can be up to six feet across. The eggs will hatch in about 33 days.
Sophie
Sven is just a little larger than Sophie, he also spends much of his time with his head underwater eating vegetation. He is really hard to photograph. Sophie eats also..but not nearly as much as Sven..
Swan Pond is a very relaxing place to visit. I wish there was no traffic, about the time you are enjoying the silence and just listening to the sounds of the pond..a big ole truck comes roaring down the road. I also have to be very careful where I step, as the ditch is really steep, and the culvert is really flowing..if I end up down here..
I will be taking a little trip under the highway, and end up in the river..and possibly unhappy. I am wondering if there is some type of a screen or grate that prevents entrance into that culvert..maybe I should just wear a rope around my neck, tie it to the car and hope that Far Guy doesn't drive away without me... :)
Photos: Top two with the Canon, the last one with the now busted HP camera.