when death approached, unlocked her silent throat.
Leaning her breast against the reedy shore,
thus sang her first and last, then sang no more;
"Farewell, all joys! O death, come close mine eyes!
More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise."
Orlando Gibbons
About a month ago, I heard that the swans at the local park had babies! So I wasted no time in getting there. Aren't they cute? One thing that surprised me was that the babies didn't have long necks like the grown swans. These are Mute Swans, said not to make hardly any noise, but I discovered different at the park. The parents would honk loudly at the babies whenever they got too far away. My poem is a reference to the ancient belief that this swan is completely silent until the moment just before death, when it sings one beautiful song. A strangely haunting myth, but untrue.
"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield."
Psalm 5:11,12
36 comments:
I have just learned something new. i thought MUte Swan did not make any sound.Those Babies are adorable.
Oh, you did get some wonderful photos! The babies are adorable1 Thanks for the Scripture verse!
Great post. The only thing I knew about swans was that they mate for life. You are always teaching me something new...
Were you able to get out, Ginny???? If so, that is terrific. You truly must be feeling better. God is GOOD.
Beautiful swans --including their babies... Thanks!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Those are the cutest little puffs of white I've seen in quite some time.
Those little cygnets are absolutely adorable. Where did the story of the ugly duckling come from, those balls of fluff are so cute.
So mute swans aren't mute, not surprised. I've never met a silent swan or goose.
Gorgeous photos Ginny.
Just looking at them is sort of "destressing" ourselves from our daily life duties..
How lovely. I had no idea they were so silvery white so early. Ha, and I had ducklings on my blog!
Those babies are cute as can be!
Hey Ginny, finally the follower button is there and I'm following and I see you are following me too now. Thanks. You had asked some questions in your comments. I will answer them in my blog today that I'm leaving here in a few minutes! Hope you all have a great Memorial day weekend. Love the swans!
I always love the signets, and go to my local park in Spring. Our black swans are note mute. Just like me. LOL
Oh how sweet they are!
If we head up to the Green valley book fair sometime this summer, would you want to meet up for lunch?
so beautiful ginny, the photos and the poem and scripture. the babies get several awwwwwwwwwww and ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. adorable little guys, and hard to believe they will grow up from being "ugly ducklings" into gorgeous swans, the ugly duckling story has always been a favorite of mine.
What a wonderful post and such adorable pictures! Love the reflections in the water too!
Such sweet little featherballs! I'm thinking of the Ugly Duckling story and wondering why anyone (especially a mother duck) would think a swan baby was ugly. Glad you managed to get out to capture these cuties.
I just happened across you blog as I read Karin's post. Then I kept reading. I pray you recover completely from your episode, and will soon be gracefully swimming through life as those beautiful swans. The verse fit beautifully altho the myth of the song is haunting.
I loved this post!! What a captivating story..the photos are gorgeous and I love that expression up top!! Those babies are adorable!!
We have Ginny back (big hug)
Hi Ginny, These are so lovely! I enjoy seeing baby animals and birds a lot. Glad you took the time to show the pictures. Have a wonderful day today!
Such a lovely post, Ginny. The joy of life rings here in every line, in every photo. And Psalm 5: 11-12 is so appropo. The silence of the swan may be a myth, but not the word of God not those who praise him in song.
The cutest, most adorable little babies....I can just feel their fresh little feathers, so soft and so delicate...
Have never heard this myth before...
Beautiful photos...
Hope you're getting better each day..
Hugs Ginny
shug
They are so adorable... There were some white swans at the Brooklyn Botanical garden several years ago, but their babies were gray. Perhaps a different variety.
Those baby swans are so cute. they look so soft and fuzzy. I'm glad to hear that isn't true about them only singing one song before dieing. That would be very sad
Ginny,
How are you feeling? I read each of the posts and had to laugh at the things you don't want to hear while in the hospital; I'm all for not hearing 'Oops'
I hope you are taking it easy this weekend and being gentle with yourself.
The photos are beautiful...the baby swans are so precious.
We have swans in our area that had babies as well. they come back every year. I haven't actually seen the babies yet. They may not have hatched yet I think we are a bit behind you. That little thing is so darn cute!
Lovely photos, Ginny! These swanlets are simply adorable and not "ugly duckling" at all ;-)
Happy Memorial Day! Hope you are feeling better!
They are so cute and fluffy! love watching the Moms and Dads leading and making sure all the little ones follow. Its always so cool the way the cars stop to give them the right of way. Great pictures! I hope you are feeling better every day Ginny! Blessings, Joanne
HOW SWEET!! These pictures are just great, Ginny. Hope your feeling well.. Happy Memorial Day.
Those babies are sooooo cute. Does this mean that you're out and running around looking for photo opportunities?
The photos are lovely, Ginny and I'm a sucker for baby anythings. These fluffy cotton balls are especially dear. I hope all is well. Blessings...Mary
Such pretty pictures, Ginny! Oh, yes, those babies are so cute and fuzzy. :)
Hope you have a nice, relaxing Memorial Day. Thanks for stopping by to visit today. I hope you have a great week.♥
These babies are sooo cute. Makes me want to pick them up
These babies are sooo cute. Makes me want to pick them up
Oh Ginny - I love all little babies and these were no exception - adorable.
You do have beautiful photos! I think swans are so gorgeous. I would be happy, like you to get pictures!
Hi Ginny,
Your swan pictures are beautiful... Mine didn't come out that good. My original swan was I think attacked, then I find another swan's next in another lake near us and I couldn't get close enough to it. I have to look for the baby.
These pictures are great!
xxoo
Deborah
Hi Ginny,
Your swan pictures are beautiful... Mine didn't come out that good. My original swan was I think attacked, then I find another swan's next in another lake near us and I couldn't get close enough to it. I have to look for the baby.
These pictures are great!
xxoo
Deborah
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