There is a kindly gentleman who visits Ashbridges Bay daily (in good weather) to feed swans.

When he spots these 2 swans in the distance,

he signals them by waving his arms:

The swans approach:



He calls this pair “Mommy” and “Daddy”.




He was present for both of today’s walks and we all had a good look at these lovely creatures:





Other birds:


















Species list: mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, American black duck, gadwall, long-tailed duck, bufflehead, ring-billed gull, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, black-capped chickadee, American robin, northern cardinal, dark-eyed junco. (14 species)
Park scenes:






Morning group:

Afternoon group:

NATURE POETRY
I spot the hills
With yellow balls in autumn.
I light the prairie cornfields
Orange and tawny gold clusters
And I am called pumpkins. – Carl Sandburg (1878–1967)
Miles Hearn
Endearing and charming! I don’t imagine there is concern here about the swans being too dependent on him as a food source, and I’m sure other people feed them, too (whether or not they should)!
Thanks for the dog (and raccoon and birds and ducks) too!
Wonderful day today and wonderful pictures.
Thanks!!
Thanks Miles for featuring the “gentleman feeding the swans”. That was the highlight of a very wonderful day of warmth and sunshine on your interesting walk.