Mute Swan (Cygne tuberculé)

     Mute Swans Cygnus olor are familiar birds to many people around the world and are found in the company of humans. They often originate as members of a waterfowl collection and are released or escape into the wild to establish feral populations.
    Before leaving for Victoria I observed a pair already on their nest and here is their egg, surrounded unfortunately by the inevitable detritus of humanity.

     This individual must have become really attuned to the presence of humans for the nest was close to a walking path and she seemed undisturbed by people walking by in close proximity.

     She turned her egg very carefully before settling down to lay another I presume. I haven't yet had a chance to check the current status but I will be sure to do so. I fully expect that later in the season we will have a fine flotilla of adults and cygnets to add interest and beauty to our walks.
     This handsome American Herring Gull Larus smithsonianus was swimming close by and I have little doubt that an unattended egg would make a fine snack.